Rainy season... Flu Season

There is no denying, the rainy season came early this year.
The first days of heavy rain started during the last week of April, traditionally considered the hot Season.
Looking at the temperature forecasts and comparing the real and feels like temperatures, it becomes quite apparent that the humidy will be quite high, but will ease somewhat later in the month.



The Southern Provinces of Thailand are experiencing a Chikungunya virus spread by mosquitos. More details at UPI.com
No such reports locally, but it's something to consider and take preventive measures.

The rainy season is typically also the flu season, Health Ministry warns. More details at MCOT.NET

There have been seven Heavy Rainfall weather warnings since May 14. The most severe rainfall is in North and Central Thailand.
Most of our rain is coming from the south, later in the rainy season that will change to an easterly direction, from the Philippines.

Satellite weather maps from the last few days, demonstrate the current weather trend.

Local Bang Fai celebration with deadly results

The Bang Fai season has begun.  

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.

Related article: Bun Bang Fai - Thai Rocket Festival

News on the Net

Leeches in the Kwai River: THE NATION

Look before you sit, toilet snakes are not a myth: REUTERS

No food shortages sufficient water supply forecast: MCOT.NET

2009 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Photos: THAIPHOTOBLOGS

Thailand Resorts for sale: PHUKETWAN

Amazing Thailand Trip Giveaway extended: YOU TUBE

Wan Wisakha Bucha Day Parade

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.

See More photos here 090508 Parade

Possible Ancient Temple Site Unearthed

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.

Income going down,Unemployment rising, and so are Taxes

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

Neither rain, nor thunderstorms will stop a Parade in Thailand

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 here  090507 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.

   

Rambling on...

Don't Rain on my parade

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

Chonburi Province Governor was "shifted" 

 
for mishandling of ASEAN meeting fiasco. www.nasdaq.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   

WiKiPDiA,       Official Page: domdeluise.com,   justjared.buzznet.com

No surprise here

M*A*S*H actor David Ogden Stiers comes out, he's gay and he's proud. afterelton.com

Mangalitsa pigs from Hungary 

Looks like a cross breed of sheep and pigs. Very feminine appearance, just needs a bit of lipstick  www.omgblog.com

Don't say "WTF" to 911 operator 

Officer Prudy McPrudester 

 He'll hang up on you and endanger your loved ones

true visions (formerly UBC) 

has a deal for subscribers with analog receivers. 

Upgrades to Digital are available for 2,000 baht. truevisionstv.com

True Visions/UBC drops BBC and others

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.