School's out for Summer

สกลนคร
Many schools are in their final week of the yearly second semester.
A few schools have already started vacation, lasting until early May.

With this hot weather, it's back to the canals to cool down.

Graduation Party also known as Farewell Party

The ticket said 18:00.  You'd think I should have learned about Thai timekeeping by now.
Arriving at that time, I was the only person in the hall.
I had time to stop off in the restaurant for a drink.
It was getting close to 7 p.m. when people started arriving.
Having been told that alcohol was not included in the ticket price, I brought my own bottle, so did others.

Alcohol was served after all and our table wound up with more bottles than we could handle.
Good food, and entertainment made for a pleasant evening.
Dozens of cameras were in use, as everyone wanted pictures of themselves with the Thai stars in attendance.

Would you take my picture please...

สกลนคร

Tonight at the Imperial

S-BAC Sakonnakhon Business Administration College Graduation Party.
You might say it's their version of the prom.

I was asked to make myself available at home for a visit by a teacher at 12 noon, Friday.
1 p.m. I decided it was time for a visit to the WELCOME Bar and a shopping trip.

The teacher visited me there around 1:30.  Thai punctuality.
"Do you want to come to the Party?  Table for eight 16,000 Baht (US $492)."
Ten minutes of declining the extremely expensive invitation under all circumstances,
a correction to the translation of the ticket price 1,600 Baht.  

As last year, they have invited Thai Movie stars to attend.
Last year it was some Thai Teen Idols who made all the girls swoon. A few boys too.

It's an alcohol free event, I'll keep my mix discrete.

Not a political demonstration

If you happen to see the articulated tour bus driving through town, with singing, screaming and probably an amplifier, don't panic.

It's not part of a political demonstration,  SAKON NAKHON FC players and fans doing their best to increase their fan base, generate revenue, and improve the team.

The team faces NongBuaLamphu FC this Sunday at the local stadium located on I.T.U.
Sakon Nakhon has had two wins, one draw, one loss. NongBuaLamphu FC record is two wins and two losses. It's a must win game for either team.

T.i.T. Bits

CCTV  coming to Sakon Nakhon 29 according to this bidding notice  Related News: Patong's security cameras blind

Local Aids Conference held March 9  1714 Aids patients have died in the province  

Health Ministry alert  Food diseases related to the hot weather

Not a good choice at this time

Some local expats are planning to drive to Bangkok.
They have to go to their respective embassies for documentation updates of sorts.
www.nationmultimedia.com has posted a map of possible hot spots to avoid.
Considering access roads to these hot spots, most of Bangkok should be avoided.
If your plans include a trip to wireless road, according to the above mentioned map, that road is closed to traffic.

Testing the ZOOM on my NEW TOY

Saw this tile mural in front of a house just recently completed


Just down the street, what I would describe as a mansion

Nong Hahn water levels look normal to me

With all the talk of drought and water shortages throughout Thailand, I was interested in seeing what  the local lake water levels looked like.


October 26, 2004                                                        February 10, 2010


October 4, 2006                                                         February 10,2010

Even though water levels seem to be down somewhat, older pictures were taken in October, at the end of the rainy season.  Water demand has obviously increased in the area, so the water level will be something to keep an eye on.

South of Sakon Nakhon one stream has dried up.
Pictured on the left is the road bridge after flooding had subsided in August 2008.  Today you can see collapsed roadway in the dry stream bed.

Palace History