The HOT SEASON has arrived

Temperature at my house (noon) shade 85F / 29.4C, direct sun 104F / 40C.

A nurse friend advised me that the hot season not only brings on cases of heat exhaustion.
There are also more cases of stomach ailments. Air quality is also something to consider.

Air pollution notices for some provinces have already been posted. THE NATION
Most of this pollution is caused by fires farmers use to clear and prepare their fields.


NASA image aquired Feb 10, 2010

Stomach irritations, including food poisonings become more prevalent since food storage time is reduced by the hot and humid weather.
If in doubt, I microwave food before eating.

Booking with NOK air: The Sakonnakhon options

With access to any computer and printer you can go online, book your flight and print out your ticket.
Or you can go to the office near BIG C, just behind the pizza place.
See my previous blog entry for details  Sakonnakhon NOK Air office

Your third choice is another NOK air representative.  Head north from BIG C, past three traffic lights.
In the middle of the block (left side) look for flags atop a building



Next door to the office, in the same building,  is a pastry shop.
492 / 4 Chai Pha Suk Rd.
tel: 042-712256

The future looks parched

During my recent road trip to Mukdahan one thing became very obvious:
All rice fields along the road were bone dry.
There were a few watering holes along the way, but these seemed close to drying up too.

The Mekong river was also quite low with islands visible and green with vegetation.
Been a few years now, when the water level submerged the steps leading up to the immigration office.

Normal level 

July 2003

That's not the drought causing the drastic drop in the river's water level.
It's Dams in China.
They have three operating dams and plan more.  Laos is also in the process of building dams.
There are plans for a total of 19 dams.
At that rate future travelers may well be able to wade across.
For the moment, downstream countries have pleaded with China to release more water.

 Additional reading Damned Chinese: mighty Mekong a memory
                                      review-of-contested-waterscapes-in-mekong

Sakon Nakhon FC at Mukdahan FC intense............... but scoreless

What's the difference between Buriram FC and Sakon Nakhon FC road games?
Ten busloads of spectators (Buriram FC pictured right).
Think the difference is sponsorship.


During Sakon Nakhon's first away game against Mukdahan, team supporters were sparse.  Even Mukdahan's home team crowd was considerably less than expected.

I was invited to attend the game by my extended Thai family and friends.
As was expected, I was also invited to handle expenses.  Something I really did not mind doing... this time.

We arrived early enough to take a short walk along the Mukdaham riverfront.

First things first:
Public toilets were 5 baht,
unless of course you knew about the open rear staircase.
Thailand is funny that way.

Next on the agenda 5 baht rental of binoculars enabling you to get a closer look of the shores of Laos.

So why did I wind up paying 10 baht.
Those are the more powerful ones, they cost extra.

Can you see me alright?

 



Of course there are endless stalls selling everything from kitchen cutlery, cheap toys and tools, herbs, spices.  You name it...

My wallet passed the market unscathed







We arrived at the game minutes before opening ceremonies.



It was an intense game with plenty of near misses. Kept me at at the edge of my seat.
Plenty of cheering and lot's of oey's

Just before half time the music was turned up quite loud behind us.  The parking lot served as a multipurpose field and locals had gathered for their daily exercise.



Great halftime show in my opinion.
Mother nature also added it's own feature for the show



I mentioned this earlier, but the team really needs some sponsors. At least so they can buy some drum sticks.
Until then they'll make due with what they have

Rum 'n Coffee

Found this picture of me on the net.

Notice the two coffee cups I travel with.

Rum 'n Coffee

Thai Football gone BERSERK

Last nights game was televised (from Bangkok).. Not the aftermath




More at http://kallangroar.com/asean-football/74-thai-football-119.html

I hope it's not a sign of things to come

Arizona slow news day

They were all out of headlines for the evening news
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel:  Penis Tree Perturbs Neighbors

Two snake stories

Cobra Town 50 km north of Khon Kaen.

A cobra also made Sakonnakhon news last month
Don't know all the facts to the story, received the clip in e-mail.
Apparently one farmer required hospital care.
1,000 baht per kilo, if I'm hearing right, that's pricey Watch the video here

Sakonnakhon NOK Air office

Received an e-mail telling me of the NOK Air office in town

... inside Tip Beauty and Spa. 492//4 Jaiphasuk Rd. T.Tadcheangchum,Muang Sakon Nakhon,4700 ,tel/no.042-,712256 {not far from Big C.} owner is lady named Aorry,speaks fair English. Await your link.
regards

I tried to find the place twice, and failed.

Someone said near Pizza place (across the street from BIG C).
Drove down the alley, still no luck.

Handed my camera to a Thai friend.
Told him go and take some pictures of the place.

Don't look like ... inside Tip Beauty and Spa to me.
Looks more like office in a box

Click for larger view