Travelers be aware

Bangkok ACS (American Citizen Services) in a message dated June 19 states in part:

. . . American citizens should be aware that the U.S. Embassy in Thailand
cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or
quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal
authorities, and cannot attempt to influence the terms or duration of
quarantine.Quarantines in Thailand, however, have generally been of short duration. . . .

Thailand uses thermal scanners to monitor passengers arriving at international airports.

In Other travel advisories:

For a good laugh visit

And that's my opinion

Swine Flu

Thailand's Health Department has muzzled provincial health administrators from talking to the press. Bangkok Post
At one end of this directive is of course that only one agency should gather the data and release information, to avoid confusion and duplication/
On the other end, this may delay vital information of regional outbreaks.
Keep in mind, the Swine Flu (H1N1), is simply another flu which has been getting more press than any previous flu.

David Carradine
My condolences to all the friends and relatives.
Investigations are incomplete, the media frenzy intensifies;

Murdered By Transsexual Hookers? Read that article at starpulse,com

Death by Masturbation Sect. Read that article at NOT THE Nation

Thailand's Tourism Industry is in despair. They need to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

More pressing than tourism is the increasing unemployment

Massive jobs programs are needed.

Unemployed tend to resort to criminal acts, just to survive. Crime is up.

Tourists tend to stay clear of known high crime areas,

unless may be criminals themselves.

Phuket Wan reports that Visa runs are way down

I suspect that the recently enacted four trip limit has many tourists going elsewhere.

The nations airport arrivals are one third of last years (June) arrivals.

Last years wasn't such a great year for tourism either.

Local arrivals (Sakonnakhon) do not seem to suffer as heavily.
I am receiving almost daily mails asking for information, indicating immediate travel plans.

The person considering a side trip to Vientiane, I recommend some time in Nong Kai with a trip to Wat Keak

From the USA: PETA Insanity (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

PETA has made a complaint to President Obama for killing a fly while on camera.

PETA suggests humane capture and outdoor release.

I wonder what they consider appropriate treatment of Thailand's mosquitoes and ants

For a good laugh visit

Getting back into the swing of things

The evening walk:
It's been a while since I've gone for an evening walk.
The new rental building under construction, down the street, was full off cows.
They sought shelter there during the short monsoon shower earlier in the day.
You could say they were taking up residence.

Down the street, the sound of an ice cream vendor and then a "hello there."
That's the neighborhood talking mynah bird.
I'm teaching English to the mynah bird:" Where's the party hotpants?

When I arrived at the party, they were drinking White Lightening,
they call it whisky white, glad I brought my own bottle of Clan.
So here I am at the house who's kids I have been babysitting daily for a number of years.
I had never been to their house.
"Where's the music?" I asked. So they put on Hotel California. Thais are just nut's about the Eagles.
It was a fun party, and I know my limit.

At 9.p.m. i said my good bye.
I decided to walk home, I really needed the exercise.
By the time I got home six people had stopped to offer me a ride home.
I just pointed at my belly and said "exercise."
So then instead of getting a ride home I received three bags of snacks to carry home.

For a good laugh visit

Honest answer

Comment received:

Thats not you who swallowed his teeth,was it?

In yesterdays news on the net it was reported that a person succumbed while choking on his dentures. Poor Fellah. At least it was somewhat painless, blackout and it's over.

Was not me, but I did something equally as stupid!!

Overdid it on drinking fresh turmeric tea on an empty stomach.

After the third cup the toilet seat became a headrest for over an hour.

The instructions did say after eating, twice a day.

U.S. politics: When does the main feature begin

Rainy Season:

Locally there really hasn't been all that much rain. Most of the rain had been bypassing us. My water tanks were at the 500 liter level. Yesterday we finally had a bit of a tropical storm and the tanks filled in less than 20 minutes (6,000 liters). The heavy rains cooled the humidity quite a bit.

For the moment it's cool and overcast, and from the looks of things .... more of the same.

For a good laugh visit

T i T 's

Mr.Bob's wife is recovering from surgery at the local hospital.

Think it was gall stone. She should be home by Monday.

We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Sawitree Coffee has been open for a few days.

Lunch is quite tasty.

The menu will hopefully soon appear in an English version.

Meanwhile, they'll gladly take the time and explain it to you.

Phuket disco's closing temporarily, Bangkok schools being fumigated, swine flu continues spreading.
Spreading of viruses is a downside of tourism.
I may reconsider my impending trip to Bangkok.
Might do a Michael Jackson imitation. 'Gloves and masks' (not his bedroom manners).

My Google news alerts are chockfull with Sakonnakhon news these days with bi-elections a week away.
The big question is: Will this province change colors?
The whole nation is in anticipation. That's Thai politics.
My only concern in the matter, stock up on booze the day before and party at home.

For a good laugh visit

PHN : Still no end in sight

Postherpetic Neuralgia: recovery from shingles

For some reason things seemed to get worse Friday evening. Regular doses of medication and Turmeric tea. Had no effect.
The son of a local constable, friends of ours, brought by yet another rot to be used as herbal medicine. Still have to find out what it is.

At this point I'm willing to give anything a try. Grind the hard wood rot into powder, drink it with a shot glass of water. Also apply as paste to the sores. Again this promise that I'll be cured within a week.

The regular medications seemed to have little effect. I made an interesting discovery here.
Take an aspirin. Aspirin, as is well known, thins the blood. Thinner blood absorbs more of the medication.

Saturday afternoon I was in unbearable pain.

I doubled up on all pills shortly afternoon.
Within minutes I was in slumberland.

Briefly awoke in early evening, feeling quite weak and tired.
Those 40 Baht pizzas at Big C came in as a real blessing.

Quick and easy meal, ready in three minutes

I passed out again. The best and longest sleep I have had in ages.

The day after minimal pain, only one nerve ending is keeping me uncomfortable, dozens others have retreated.

Meanwhile pizza for breakfast and then this mornings medical regime.

There's no such thing as a dumb question !!

... which way is s/w??

Image by Andrew pmk

For a good laugh visit

Is Turmeric the cure?

Rhizoma Curcumae (Curcumin) is my latest attempt at curing my continuing bout with PHN Postherpetic Neuralgia (Shingles).

Thais claim this root will cure me within a short time.
Sliced it can be applied to the effected area, or made into a tea.

It comes by many names. Turmeric is the most common.

Used as an antiseptic on wounds, it has antibacterial properties and has been used for cure of acne and boils, liver disorders, Alzheimer's , digestive disorders......

Having a few spoons of powder and three cups of tea per day. Interested to see the results

Seeking out local medical services

Before you indulge in any inebriation, eating is advisable.

Had lunch at the Dusit. Chicken and veggies in a sweet sauce.

The portion of onion soup was a bit light for the price. But the taste made up for it.

Then a stopover at the 'Toon,' where the floor were getting mopped.

Now a daily routine. NICE.

No immediate plans for meals, except those done on special request.

Downed two liquid painkillers there, and then I was off to the dermatologist.

New set of medications. Wish they had better labeling.

I like to look up details of the medications,

so I can read up on things the doctor may not have mentioned.

What gives with all those colors!! You'd think it was candy.

Click on image to see full size
Speaking of local medical services.

At the moment I am still updating the local hotel list. Possibly will be another two weeks.

Then I am taking a trip to the big city (BKK).

The next major undertaking (July) will be a directory of all local medical services, clinics etc.
I'll appreciate all input.