Some of the friendliest and most loyal people I've ever met.

the hassells Recently posted their 2006 Family Holiday Thailand videos, 

filmed at Bahn Nom Hom, SakonNakhon

It depicts local rural life 

A Gentleman named Jim recently commented about my Picasa Web Albums:

"I was with the 809th Engineer Battalion at Camp Ruam Chit Chai just outside Sakon Nakhon in 1970. Have you ever heard of that facility? Have you ever been by that location? Do any of the buildings etc. still exist? Your pictures triggered memories of the time I enjoyed in Thailand. 
Some of the friendliest and most loyal people I've ever met.
After all these years, I wonder what has happened...."


I'll have to ask around and see what I can discover.

Reminiscence -  July 5th 1975.

Me driving South on I-5 in Seattle. 

That's the Seattle U-District in the background.  That stretch of the freeway had been completed in time for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, otherwise known as Century 21.
I'm driving an Italian made VESPA, the only transportation I could afford.  The best part was I could cruise around for a week on a dollar of gasoline.
These days, at times,  I can be seen in similar posture on my 2010 Nouvo for 100 baht per week.  I could afford a car, but don't care to.

Two dead in Sakon Nakhon Shootout

This took place at a drugstore adjacent to the bus terminal on June 24 at 2 p.m.

I first heard of the incident through an e-mail: 

Killing in Sakon Nakhon... POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD IN PHARMACY NEAR MARKET

Further details in Thai at ryt9

Videos by Zintiara

Keep Galoshes at ready

With the present drought slightly waning, I suspect when the rains do start,  it's going to be very heavy.

I base my conjecture on previous experiences.

A few years ago when we did have flooding in the area, it was preceded by heavy flooding north of us in Southern China and West of us in Myanmar

A number of recent articles  seem to confirm my suspicion,  "be prepared for heavy rain and flooding in September and October."  

A three month forecast is available at Thai Meteorological Department

Forget the fruit and vegetables, bring some more sugar coated cereal

 Thailand recruits Martha Stewart to draw female tourists
    Read it at Monsters and Critics

  Thai rice market share down in ASEAN wearekhmers.com


  Thai Sugar Output May Fall 13% Next Year on Drought, Floods 
     Read it at BusinessWeek 

  Thai commuter airline sector in turmoil  Business Traveller.

Dear Santa: My Christmas wish list

Absurd:If it comes from China, it's tainted

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Socialism Studies
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

New Student Introduction "Skool Partey"

At S.-B.A.C. SakonNakhon Business Administration College

Why was I invited to arrive at 9 a.m., when they knew that the main entourage would not make an entrance any earlier than 10:30. 

I entertained myself by briefly watching student rehearsals and makeup sessions.  I snuck out the front gate to have a smoke and kept myself well hydrated with a two cups of coconut juice from my refrigerator.  It's the coconut juice with preservative: Sangsom.

I was invited to return in the afternoon when a ladyboy contest would be featured.

But I was just not interested in making the trip twice in one day.

Temporary Billboards - Weather Vane

I pass by these billboards, south of BIG-C, almost daily.

Quite often I see labor crews repairing and re-erecting collapsed signs.

The billboards are great wind direction indicators; Weather Vanes.

 

They seem to provide employment for up to half a dozen laborers on a regular basis,

especially as we enter the rainy season with frequent wind gusts.

Screw hole cover thefts continue.

High Humidity continues

Unusual long lasting high humidity continues. 
  Most noticeably during early morning and early evening hours

Scattered Heavy Rain showers are forecast for the next five days

Severe drought threatens Thailand's rice harvest  BBC - June 21

If you own iPhones, iPads and Macintosh computers, you are being tracked. L.A.Times



 

OMG-Chuckle

Thailand Tourism, things can only get better

June 20    Tourism to Increase in Forth Quarter According to TAT Pattaya Daily News

             Indian tourists love Thailand, despite turmoil sify finance

             Thai officials hope tax credits, mud masks will boost tourism Montgomery Advertiser

June 21  Thailand launches "We Love Thailand" promotion  Dubai Chronicle

"Top 10 Beach and Sun Destinations in the World" at Trip Advisor does not list any Thailand destinations

"Top 10 Beach and Sun Destinations in Asia at Trip Advisor lists:

                                                                       3 Ko Lanta,  4 Khao Lak,  5 Ko Phangan,  6 Koh Samui

Tourism Thailand "Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value" lists some travel deals which don't seem to be all that Amazing.

The site does have some information about SakonNakhon here

Ubon Tiger defeats SakonNakhon FC 2-0

Saturday's game at Ubon

video by TungstenPalm

HOTMAIL SPAM increases

As of lately I am receiving an increased number of SPAM from friends with hotmail accounts.

These are legitimate hotmail users, whose accounts are obviously compromised.

Mails I receive from half a dozen accounts all have links to VIAGRA sales sites (I don't need the stuff).

A net search of recent postings seems to confirm that the problem has been recognized... 

June 19  Microsoft sues spammers over abusing Hotmail spam filters

... however the problem has not been rectified, spamming continues.

Spammers have access to complete mailing lists for each compromised account. 

In many instances persons have been locked out from using their own accounts.  

To reestablish ownership of your mail account you must contact your mail provider and go through a security questionnaire, or two or three.

It's a good idea to change your password and security questions on a regular basis, every three to six months seems to be most recommended.

Change all your passwords at any sign of problems.

It was probably my own error, but I was recently locked out from my online banking service.  

A few mails with security questions answered, my account was restored.  

Of course I recognized the warning signs and immediately made changes to other accounts.

It may also be a good idea to have an email account with an alternate provider.

I find it helpful when trying to recover lost passwords. 

Worth looking at:

Aerial photos of the oil slick taken Jun 17 at TED BLOG

CUTE, but imagine the electric bill