These celebrations can be most pleasurable events, but they can also be deadly as happened locally on May 11.
It's a stark reminder that if you attend such an event that you pay attention to your surroundings at all times. These rockets are generally home made, some are quite elaborate, while others are not
Translation of the news article is quite incoherent, but apparently on that day a rocket misfired and instead of going skyward, headed toward spectators, hit a 29 year old spectator in the head, killing him instantly.
In observance of the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and Passing of Buddha, as everywhere in Thailand, Sakon Nakhon celebrated the event with an evening candlelight parade.
The parade route was marked with lamps in the shape of flowers and kerosene torches.
Received a phone call by obviously excited Andy: They've discovered an ancient site just around the corner. There are dozens of police and plenty of media all over the place.
We had to check it out.
They were clearing the land, uprooting trees when they came across these ancient markers. We've seen these at some of the local temples. Think they are ancient grave markers. With so many of these markers, there is a strong suspicion that the site may be an undiscovered temple site. Estimates range from 300 to 3,000 years old. No professionals were on site to make any official findings.
The area was cordoned off with tape, but after all officials had departed, locals began digging in the area for souvenirs. The site is only a five minute walk from my house, so it will be interesting to observe what happens here next.
As previously mentioned a hike in alcohol taxes went into effect Thursday, raising the excise tax from 7 to 9 %.
Unfortunately that will not cover the governments losses experienced due to the global downturn and local disruptions to tourism. Expect further increases in taxes on fuel and cigarettes momentarily. phuketwan.com
As you can tell from a previous post, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, yet at 2 p.m. the heavens opened with a tropical thunderstorm, which made everyone run for cover.
But that didn't stop a planned parade. After a short thunderstorm delay, the parade proceeded.
See all pictures of this parade by Martin Pattison here090507 Parade
The Parade honoring Visakha Bucha Day is scheduled for Friday 3:30 p.m.
The starting point is near the Lotus store. The parade will proceed to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum.
Hardly a cloud in the sky, but the weather forecast for tomorrows festivities: Clouds, Sunshine a couple of heavy thunderstorms, humid (accuweather.com). I doubt that I'm physically ready to spend the afternoon photographing. Any volunteers?
Cost of drinking in Thailand rising
To increase Government Income, excise taxes on all alcoholic drinks will increase by 2% from 7 to 9%. If you wish to rush out and stock up, forget it, you're too late, The increase is effective today. www.forbes.com
The supplement to this blog Sakon Nakhon Directory is growing
Visits to the directory have increased 391.18% since "remodeling" began a week ago. Fascinating of course is where the directory's visitors hail from (listed in frequency of visits): Thailand
United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Argentina, Japan, Portugal, Germany, Chile, France, Singapore, Canada, India, Romania, Russia, Australia, Spain, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Sweden.
If you have any recommendations of services, sales, or the like, please forward the information to me at luanghans@gmail.com.
Dom DeLuise
Prolific Film and television star,
Author of Cookbooks and childrens stories, dead at age 75
True Visions, formerly known as UBC has announced that they will drop BBC Entertainment (38), Animax (40), and STC(42), effective June 1. Replacing these channels will be AXN Beyond, All Sports Network and Nickelodeon.
The change is being made purely for financial reasons.
Since this announcement True Visions e-mail has been overflowing with complaints and threats to discontinue or switch to a less expensive package. Read more at Thai Visa.com
I'll miss Judge Deed, My Family, and Weakest link. AXN Beyond seems to be a rebroadcast of U.S. series, All Sports Network, from what I can determine is mostly U.S. Sports. AXN Beyond sample schedule . I have definitely outgrown Nickelodeon, a children's network.
