Sakon Nakhon Dragon Dancers

Notice the platforms the dragon dancers are performing on. 

No wonder they had mats and catchers below.


You can't learn that dance step in one easy lesson !

   
SakonNakhon -Live Video

Huge crowds at Sakon Nakhon Celebrations

11 AM

Heard loud music outdoors. I thought "that car stereo definitely is loud."
Not a car stereo.  It was obvious they were doing a sound check just a few blocks from my house.

Noon

Stopped along the way in front of the MJ Majestic hotel and watched the dragon performance

1:30 PM

Made my way to the Sakon Pattana Suksa School Grounds. Most traffic I had seen on I.T.U., EVER. There was no parking to be had on the entire length of this 3 k.m. long road.

 

Was a bit surprised that only one policeman was taking care of traffic flow at the entrance. 

Very professional and courteous.

During the late afternoon and evening hours I.T.U. resembled a busy street in Bangkok.

Traffic was heavy, but unlike Bangkok, no traffic snarls.

Traffic and crowd control seemed to have been well planned and administered.

I was impressed.

7 PM

Returned to the area just after dusk

Most noticeable was the security, bomb squad vehicle, paddy wagons. 
Stadium bleachers were for security personnel only.
Carabao was performing on stage and could be seen on two giant screens.

Stayed through Carabao's performance and then went home.

8:45 PM

Saw the fireworks display from my house.
A tree in my line of vision, made for some unusual pictures, reminding me of the story of the burning bush.

The best part of the celebration, as far as I was concerned, all loud music ceased after the fireworks.  I had been worried that this celebration could last throughout the night, as they so frequently do.
See more photos of these event here

The day before

They set up a football field full of chairs for todays Event.
Of course it is raining this morning.
Most likely it will clear up later in the day, but the field will be soaked.
There'll be plenty of wet feet today.

                

                

                

T.i.T Bits and more

Today

Monthly SakonNakhon Cultural Fair.  I've previously mentioned it here

Sunday

If you plan on visiting the Sunday event at Sakon Pattana Suksa School Grounds, be sure to wear pink.  That's what they broadcast over the local loudspeakers last evening.

I didn't know that:

TAN NETWORK (Thai-Asean News Network),

featuring international and Thai News in English have a website here

TANN broadcast is available on TRUE VISION channel 78

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Baht on higher grounds : good or bad for Thailand ? 

Thailand Business News

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7.4 Quake in New Zealand	Why Travel Insurance
Yeah I saw that yellow bug around town

"...Charlie... Charlie... let's re-hempefy the UK...
...let's do it man, you and me..." Video

Sunday Event at Sakon Pattana Suksa School Grounds

Information is quite sketchy still.
Depends on who you ask and how it's translated.

I'm taking a wild guess here: It's a local government sponsored event

There's an article published on the net at ryt9. 

Read the article in Google Translate.

Opening ceremonies are at noon:
          "...speeches by people in authority..."

Looking at a government planning map, there should be plenty of things to see and do after the pomp and circumstance.

The entertainment starts at 6 PM:

"...4-D movie multimedia,music drum Seng Pon Pon Pon Carabao Parn Thanaporn..."

Large crowds are expected, 20,000 according to one estimate.
If that's the case, expect mass traffic congestion along ITU. 

Kudos

Superbly done video!

Thailand 2006 from julie khongsavanh on Vimeo.

T.i.T. Bits PLUS

I've been told:  "Carabao is coming to town this weekend."

Haven't got much of the details.  

All I've been told is that the Sakon FC football game  had to be rescheduled.
More info when available

Religious Upbringing in Thailand

In my days bamboo punishment was dealt out on an outstretched hand or a bare bottom.

I never made the same mistake twice.

But then that was in another country, at a another time.

They weren't lying

 

Over a week ago, the day after tropical storm Mindulle visited the region, I had the largest number of visitors at my house. 
School kids looking for something to do.  It was early in the morning.  
I generally restrict visiting hours from 2 - 5 p.m.  

Really didn't believe when they told me: "No school today the school is flooded."   This video confirms it.

There's a reason for frequent visits to the Welcome Bar

Moderate and heavy drinkers outlive nondrinkers, 20 year research reveals TIME

Would someone please tell me where I sign up for such a survey... please!!

I'll show you mine, if you show me yours

Belly, that is. 

Growing trend noticed in Asia is men rolling up their T-shirts to keep cool, exposing their midriff in public. Los Angeles Times

Better living through chemistry comes to mind

• McDonald's Happy Meal, still fresh after 137 days  GOOD

Hey Lady, "LOOK OUT !!!"

Heavy clouds to the North. 

Same looking South. 

Looks like clear skies at Eddy's Branch and the Welcome Bar.

SakonNakon Road Trip

One of my favorite pastimes is to jump on my crotch rocket and visit nearby villages.

This time I decided to visit the rice farm areas behind Wat Phra That Dum.

Typically like many places in the world, on Sunday afternoon, people where washing their cars.  Not so typical, no hoses, just buckets of flood water.

Beyond the villages, devastation. Most of the rice fields have merged with the local lake (Nong Han).

Most folk seem to have adjusted to the situation and were out with fishing rods, tackle boxes and fishing nets.

More vehicle washing

That explains it!

Been in these parts many times during the dry season when everything is dusty and dry.

Was always a bit perplexed why farmers would have longboats on dry land.

 

Back on Main Street: Ducks are loving it.

Rethink

This canal is dry and empty most of the time.  But it's a different story during the rainy season, when it turns into a rapid moving river.

That driveway with only one drain pipe to this new residence needs some rethinking.  But then it's a great fishing hole for the moment.