The Party Season has started

Had heard of a few locals heading to this festival at Amphoe Akat Amnuai a few days ago
Unfortunately I was in the mids of fighting the flu and bronchitis.
Sorry I missed this one, but there'll be plenty more ahead.

Wondered how Thailand's tourism is really doing.
The government is touting increased arrival numbers, but other sources seem to indicate there's problems in paradise:

Jomtien to become a Ghost town - TeakDoor.com
The Changing Face Of The Pattaya Punter-Stickman
Thailand's bars are getting busier... However.. - Dave the Rave.

From personal experience in the tourism industry, tour groups tend to spend less on extra's.
In fact most believe tips are included in their tour price.


I'd like to see the outtakes from this production

Employment Opportunity

Native English speaker to teach Science
Thatnaraiwittaya School
606 SakonUdon Road
Mueang Sakon Nakhon
0-4297-0128
Salary at least 30,000 baht per month
Source http://www.ajarnjobspace.com/school-lWBgWw%3D%3D.htm

SakonNakhon Boat Races and Wax Castle Festival Schedule

October 19
09:30 Delivery of the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn cup to the waterfront park
10:00 Band led precession along the Mankhalai Road into the park
11:00 Opening ceremonies and long boat parade including peacock dance contest
           Boat Race qualifiers
18:00 OTOP "One Tamboon One Product" sales and amusements at Ming Muang Field. Food Fair, Concert

October 20
09:00 Long Boat Race round 2 and 3
12:00 Fishing Boat Race rowing qualifiers
14:00 Boat Race finals, closing ceremonies of boat races
18:00 OTOP "One Tamboon One Product" sales and amusements at Ming Muang Field. Food Fair, Concert


October 21
07:00 Merit ceremony of 10,000 clergy on Suk Kasem Road at the intersection next to the Thai Farmers Bank
08:30 Phan Bai Si flower arrangement contest begins at the Ming Muang Field
16:00 Wax Castles on display at Ming Muang Field
17:00 Completion of Phan Bai Si Contest
18:00 OTOP "One Tamboon One Product" sales and amusements at Ming Muang Field. Food Fair
18:30 Bai Si Ceremony and Dinner
19:00 Chairman and invited dignitaries preside over the ceremony. Includes musical performances and traditional folk art, Concert

(article to be continued Tuesday)

Extended VISA overstay now subject to jail time

Read the full details at THAI VISA

Wax Castle and Boat Racing Festival 2010

Wax castle brochure containing the schedule of events is now available.
Ask your hotel desk clerk for a copy.
I'll have the schedule translated later in the day and will post the information as soon as I receive it.


Boat races are already underway in some nearby villages and towns.

I stand corrected

Liver fluke larvae can penetrate the skin of a human host.

Wikipedia

I had  been ill advised to think that they entered  through mouth, ear and nose membrane, including anal and sexual organs and open cuts.
read about the leaf shaped flatworm Trematode

The larvae attaches to fish skin and plants such as watercress.
Snails and slugs are the main carriers of liver fluke and transfer them to vegetation.
Liver flukes are also common in a exposed wild and domestic animals.
Nong Han (Lake) is known to be infested with the parasite.  
It stands to reason that surrounding waterways are similarly invested.

10,000 Monks to assemble in Sakon Nakhon

Castle construction is underway

Preparations for the annual Wax Castle Festival are well underway.
You can visit any of the local temples and watch how it's done.




   
    
    
    

One kilo five baht

1 kilo of CD's for 5 baht (2.2 lbs for 16 cents).  
Most of the Thai music CD's seemed to have been well worn. There were some copies with Thai writings, and there were English titled movies which seemed less worn.  Some looked like new.

I was not offered, and not interested in buying.  Who would buy this stuff, for what purpose.  I imagine there were probably some usable, but most seemed too scratched for use.

Made me wonder if these are part of the stash the government recently "destroyed".

Just had some dental work done.  Four sessions in total.
Yesterdays session required an injection and lasted 45 minutes.
Cost was 500 baht.  I really felt guilty, considering this would have been hundreds of  $ in the U.S.

I was reminded to use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride to keep the teeth from going soft.
I think I'll ignore that advice.  You may too after watching this video