Of interest to UK Expats in Thailand

Changes in Passport applications and processing have been announced by UK in Thailand

    

Unseasonably hot February

Time to schedule annual air conditioner maintenance, clean off fans and get ready for the hot weather.

Looks like it was a short cool season.

Many parts of Thailand are expecting a drought year ahead, some reservoirs are below normal levels according to government announcements.  

Farmers have been advised not to plant a second crop this year. 

Regional leaders are expected to facilitate rainmaking.

To me that translates in more Bun Bang Fai Festivals than in previous years.  

In the last few years the hot season was short lived.

        

The weather isn't the only thing getting hot in Thailand

A crackdown on entertainment venues which offer 'take-out' has been announced to begin Mid February in some major tourist cities.

And there is some pending political tension around the same time

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/166657/political-tension-hits-stock-market

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=acL6EK9ofVAs

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/166610/troops-to-help-thai-police-face-protesters

Party Invitation

Three birthday celebrations this week

Yesterdays party invitation: "Come and take plenty of pictures."  The party was in a residence just a two minute drive from home.
Food catered by the M.J. Majestic Hotel was great.

Our conversations were at times in shouting pitch, trying to outshout the 'Ghetto Blaster Sound System.'
Surprisingly I knew almost all guest, including some S-BAC students.

The invitation was very specific 'you and one guest.'  If you're not specific, Thais tend to invite their friends and family and may arrive by the truckload.


We did get a copy of the now famous Leo Beer 2010 Calendar.  It became popular with a morality outcry.  Ladies with painted on costumes, which seems to be a fashion trend.
You can see the Leo girls at the TEAK DOOR

Happy Australia Day

Thailand 1948

When Muay Thai was known as Siamese Boxing

T.i.T. Bits

Denmark retains Kings Cup

Almost a no brainer from the start, but  still very intense.  The Thai team seems to be improving.  Maybe next year.

Had to add extra chairs to the living room to accommodate the large crowd who gathered at my house.  One guy actually brought his own beer.  One out of ten over 20 year olds.

Possibly some troubled times ahead  

I recommend that you read the headlines in the sidebar.  Later part  of February things may get a bit 'hairy.'

Sky diving in Sakon Nakhon

Bird's Paradise Extreme Resort

Sawang Daen Din, Sakon Nakhon

Recently added to Picasa Albums: 040625 S-BAC

Humid days, chilly nights ahead

District 7 Sakon fire training

Sakon Aakasamnwi children

Video by namosatu Uploaded January 17,

Today's noticeable headlines 

http://pattaya-times.com/a4833-police-crackdown-on-foreign-operated-sex-bars

          http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/166207/uk-woman-told-to-stop-noisy-sex

February 2004 One year in Thailand Bash at S-BAC

Almost that time again.

Religious view of Haiti Sickening

There's a nasty rumor emanating.

According to this rumor the Sakon Nakhon Tax office has been discussing a tax on money expats are bringing into the country
I have no idea if there is any validity to this rumor.
It would be a good enough reason for me to pack my bags

Last day of the Fair

When are we going to the fair?

I've been avoiding answering that question for one obvious reason.  I'm expected to finance the venture.

The fair has lost a lot of luster for me over the years.  My primary reason to go to the fair was to ride the 'bum car' (bumper cars). They haven't been part of the fair for a number of years.
I'd easily spend thousands giving away tickets, and I'd nurse bruises and aches for weeks after the fair was gone.

This year they've also removed alcohol from the fair.  Open air bars and entertainment has been moved across the street, away from the fair.
Past years I'd sit in a car dealers booth, sip on a beer and watch people go by.  Gone are the karaoke bars

A good time to make purchases is early in the morning the day after the fair, when they load up all their unsold products


Local Straw Burning Ban Campaign Underway

A program is under way to educate farmers in more ecological methods to clear land for replanting, other than burning.    Burning rice and corn stubble is most commonly used in clearing farmland for replanting. www.banmuang.co.th