My view of the world

Come to church, the bar is open.
UK church tempts fathers to attend church (on fathers day) with free beer
I'd like to see some of their missionaries open a local annex.

Meanwhile I'll say my prayers at Toon Bar.

Thai Ginger pleads innocent to Green Card marriage scam.

US tax money at work:

$423,500 grant to the Kinsey Institute for research:

"Why men don't like Condoms."

The return of the swastika. Occasionally I see one in Thailand.

It brings back bad memories to most westerners.

But keep in mind, it's really an ancient religious "lucky charm," dating back to the New Stone Age.
In Thailand, A New Party Tries to Take Back the Swastika

For a good laugh visit

Phuket is getting ready for the BIG SHOW

If your travel plans include a visit to Phuket during the next four months,
be prepared for frequent security checks and closer scrutiny.

The province is making preparations for the October 23-25 ASEAN summit.

A safe and successful summit will improve Thailand's somewhat tattered image,
and may be a step to revive an ailing tourism industry.

For a good laugh visit

Blasts are most likely isolated incidents

Local Elections are over.

Results won't be official for another week or so.
I generally do not involve myself in local politics.
This post is in response to a few safety concerns after news of two explosions.

If you want to read more;

The Nation

Bangkok Post

Bangkok Post Editorial

Khok Sila (Khoksila) is 87 km from the city of Sakonnakhon
The explosions seem to have been timed to scare voters an hour before a scheduled rally.
The rally was cancelled

For a good laugh visit

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.