Festival Preparations underway

They were hauling away road dividers in town this morning.

Construction of the grandstands is well underway.

Banners all over town announce the Wax Castle Festival, the boat races, and a vegetarian festival at the Chinese temple from Oct 8 through 10.

They are also quite busy at the lake harvesting seaweed and vegetation from the boating race area.

 

As previously mentioned, the Welcome bar was recently sold.
It is now Thai owned and will shortly be renamed.  They will continue the Friday evening pool tournaments.  At the moment the bar is open in the evenings only.
The bar will begin regular hours on October 15 and will have a Thai menu.


There's some interesting reading at the EXPAT FORUM, entitled "In Thailand ... someone is always watching you." It's well written, and oh so true.

Don't miss the picture of the porn restaurant sign at the Pattaya Rag. 
It's hilarious.
Porn is a very common name in Thailand and does not mean the same thing it does in English. 
While ago I had this call from a friend complaining that his girlfriend went to Pattaya to do Porn. A quick phone call and I set him straight. 
She was in Pattaya with her friend named Porn


If you're interested to find out what sales BigC is having, you can see their advertising brochures on-line

The most intense La Nina since 1955 is forming near the equator.  Expect unseasonably heavy rains.  Philippines bracing for La Nina

Torrential rains and flash floods forecast

A tropical depression to the east of us is moving in a northwesterly direction.

Heavy rains are forecast through midweek.

Welcome Bar changes ownership

The bar will temporarily not be open during day time and opens at 6 PM.
The bar should be on a regular operating schedule after October 15, opening at 10 AM.

Concert time correction

Previously mentioned a concert of Isaan type music at Ming Muang Field.
The concert is scheduled for October 4, not Saturday, October 1.

Thai filing system

Got an example of the Thai way of filing.
I'll have to remember this one for future reference.
Decided to visit the local hospital to get an injection for a pulled muscle.
Checked in at the front desk and handed the receptionist my passport.
After about ten minutes on the computer, she still had not found my files.
Another ten minutes and my records just didn't seem to exist.
I tried to simplify her search by printing my name on a piece of paper.
No help!!
After over half an hour, and with plenty people getting ahead of me, she finally found my files.
In the hospital records my name is not Hans, but Mr Hans.
Now who would think to look for Hans under the M's.
Not me!!

Thank my lucky stars this was not an emergency.  I'd be in deep doo doo.   555

Thai lingo for dummies

The Thai version of lol (laughing out loud) in a text conversation. "5" in Thai is pronounced "ha," so three of them would be "hahaha."

Keep Kool, Insulate

The problem with most brick and mortar houses is the fact that these building materials absorb and hold heat either through direct exposure to the sun or through heat absorbed and transmitted from  roof tiles.

 

My attic, without insulation or ventilation had the capabilities to fry an egg in under 30 seconds.

First I had vents installed at both ends of the attic.

There are a number of options for attic insulation. 

Large sheets of paper backed foil which are mounted under the roof tiles.   These sheets come in varying sized rolls

Recently saw local advertisements of a company which sprays insulation either on the top or underside of roof tiles.  It's something I may consider on a newer roof.

I insulated my suspended ceilings in 2005 with a combination of  Styrofoam sheets and rolls of insulation.

Purchased the insulation at PC hardware store at 90 baht per roll.  I had found these insulation rolls being sold at other stores at double that price.

Still on my Christmas wish list, a solar Attic Vent, something I have not been able to find locally.

School is out, internet improves

Schools are shut for vacation and the first thing I noticed is improved internet after 9 AM.
I have been able to watch internet television without interruption until early afternoon.
In the past that's been an impossibility after 9 AM, when schools went online.
Of course things do slow down once the internet shops get busy in the early afternoon.

Most of SakonNakhon internet is being rewired.  Had mine rewired a few days ago.
They told me to continue using the old wires until their work is tested and inspected.
No notice this morning when my internet went down.
Waited patiently for the system to reboot.  It didn't happen.
Took a wild guess and switched to the new wires.  Problem solved.

I know of a few locals who are without internet service.
Bet they are waiting for a courtesy call telling them to switch over to the new wires.

The monthly SakonNakhon cultural fair is again this Saturday.
Also this Saturday, an Isaan type music concert at Ming Muang Field.
I've been told admission to the concert is 30 baht.

Rumor has it there'll be a Sakon FC restaurant opening soon

Obviously the rainy season has ended, or is it only an intermission.
No rain this week, had to water the plants daily.  There may be a chance of a rainy day or two middle of next week.

Annual Provincial Governor reshuffle

Sakon Nakhon governor Sombat Treewatsuwan has been transferred  to Khon Kaen, effective October 1.
He will be replaced by Udon Thani governor Amnat Pakarat.
Transfers reflect promotions and demotions and are politically motivated.
source: Bangkok Post

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