Traditional Songkran

Even though I stopped teaching at S-BAC (SakonNakhon Business Administration College) last year,
I still get invited to many of their ceremonies and parties.
Of course I was again invited to their traditional Songkran celebrations.
The traditional way is pouring water over Buddha  statues, praying for good fortune in the coming year.
Then water is poured over the open hands of elders, again wishing them all the best.

Before, during and after traditional ceremonies there's plenty of  water horseplay.

Temperatures at the moment are extreme, reaching 43C (109F) in some areas.
Add humidity to these temperatures and it feels like 47C (116F).
"Such hot weather can adversely affect the elderly...." THE NATION

By the time I arrived home, soaking wet, I felt somewhat ill and was in no condition to watch the afternoon parade.  Pretty sure it was heat related.  Drinking electrolyte and staying indoors seemed to help

Did visit some local friends for their evening birthday party for a short while.
Still a bit under the weather I made my retreat home.

Within moments after I arrived home, my 'Thai friends' stopped by and delivered meals to me and asked if they could do anything else for me.

I just love these people (Thais).
There are times when I feel being taken advantage of, but when I'm under the weather or ill, they are there for me with plenty of food and help.

No Alcohol Songkran Campaign

A campaign  by a few organizations to reduce alcoholism especially among minors.
It is my understanding that they had their own "NO ALCOHOL" parade yesterday.  I tried to find that parade, but no-one seemed to know about it.

Use common sense.  If you drink, don't drive. Have a happy and safe holiday.

Songkran, the day before

They are testing their equipment

Food Tasting Fair grounds and Parade route are still open

Banners are up, water drums have been placed



It's really hot


Police check points are in place


Practice

Sakon 1 Ubon 0

It was a must win game
with SakonNakhon previously in sixth position and Ubon in eighth position. The Football Association of Thailand

Increased crowds attending SakonNakhon FC home games very obvious. Parking lot had reached capacity.

Also obvious was the increase of advertisers / sponsors.
A few close calls, but no score during the first half.  The real action started during the second half when things got quite intense until the final whistle.

SakonNakhon Golfing

This is in response to an inquiry regarding conditions of the golf courses in SakonNakhon
It's a project we'll work on after the holidays.
At the moment I am dripping wet after a drive through a few local villages, three days before the start of the holiday. Yes it's started.

Meanwhile here's an interesting comment from one golfer.
Plan on golfing the day after local competitions, generally held on weekends.

The courses are heavily watered before competitions and are in ideal shape days after.

I'll make a suggestion to local television stations for some video's about local golf today at the Ball Game.

2p.m. preparing the field

Thailand on the move

April 11, 2009 Rained on inbound traffic to Sakon Nakhon

Thailand Bus Schedules and Prices from Bangkok Online thaiticketmajor

From the looks of things there are more buses than normal scheduled from Bangkok to SakonNakhon this weekend.  All are sold out through Monday

Are Thai protests hurting tourism and the economy? reutersindia

April 12, 2009 Food Tasting Fair setup  

Songkran by Tourism Thailand

Sing it Baby

A number of Asians have confessed that they speak English with an oriental accent.
They'd ask me how to loose the accent.  My reply:  Sing it Baby
And here's a video from Taiwan to prove my point.

Outdoor cooking and dining

When I arrived, the kettle was on.
Fresh roots and herbs were added to create a broth for jumbo shrimp.


Fresh greens from the market were being cleaned for the Thai salad 'too spicy' for my taste.




Fish were brought up from Lake (Nong) Han.  Apparently its quite an easy catch with the use of a headband light in the early evening.

Tom Jued, Thai clear soup with pork and vegetables was my favorite for the evening.












Counted over twenty guests, but lost count of the assortment of food being served.  








Heard of a Red Shirt gathering at SakonNakhon Provincial Headquarters, so I avoided the area and instead visited 

Wat Phra That Choeng Chum at night

  

• Drought grips parts of China, Southeast Asia amid dam concerns CNN
• Thai Rate Increase businessweek

• NOK AIR advertises local fares

• THAI TEEN POP

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