Catching Up

Been quite ill and on bed rest. Seems it was almost five weeks, then I checked the calender and counted 2 1/2 weeks.
I't seemed longer. The last few days I've been getting around, doing house and garden chores to regain some strength.

Laying around for two weeks sure zaps the energy out of you. I did some tree pruning, lot's of sweeping, pool cleaning, outdoor cement floor scrubbing. All those duties which wait patiently when you're not available.

As soon as the heavy downpour subsided, I ventured for a drive to visit Graham.
It was basically a good bye meeting, Graham is leaving this Saturday to get some body work done.
How long he'll be gone is somewhat open. Probably depends of required body repairs and recuperation.
We played the "Guess Who's In Town Game."

Then I was off to the furniture store, I needed to do something nice for myself. I walked through the store, and when I saw it, THAT WAS IT. Don't care for fake leather, naugehide, so I will cover it with a large blanket.

The chair was delivered within ten minutes after I left the store.
Half an hour later, after having eaten and indulged in a bit of pain medicine, I was in the reclined position.
I remained reclined until waking at 10 p.m.. At which time I moved to the couch.

Listed at 13,900 Baht, the price first dropped to 13,500, showing a bit of reluctance: final offer 13,000.

I actually had my eye on a LAZYBOY last time I was in Bangkok. It has more features and costs 55,000.
LAZY-BOY is a brand name for an American product, not some Thai I know.

The Sakon Nakhon Directory has grown quite nicely, thanks for some help from Martin. 

Funny Mail Google Group I was able to keep up with posting jokes as I received them. My Favorite Joke this month is: 

Jumbo Ride: Fun was had by all

   

Click on the thumbnail for a full view

That Picture should be used in the Thai Tourism revival campaign "AMAZING THAILAND"

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