The SakonNakhon Party has started

I've seen the opening ceremonies to the boat races many times, so I wasn't all that intrigued to see it again this morning.
But I did spend some time mingling with the crowds at the races.
Beer in one hand, camera in the other.
The best part for me was of course the number of people who recognized and called me by my name.
Of course there are always a few who seem to think my name is MONEY.


If I would have accepted all the offers for drinks, someone would have had to carry me home

  

  

I've had a number of invitations to join the party tomorrow.  I'll be there.

Cool Spell Ends

Yesterday
Overnight we had mostly drizzle and light rain with cool temperatures.
Today
The warming trend is noticeable early in the morning

Most of the heavy rain is passing through the lower northeast.
Nakhon Ratchasima has been declared a disaster area,
20 villages had to be evacuated. Flash floods hit Thai Catholic hospital

Locally a warming trend  has been forecast with feels like temperatures returning to the low 40's C by this weekend by accuweather

Super typhoon Megi, which caused havoc in the Philippines is expected to change its westerly direction and is now expected to move north into China  Typhoon Megi Tracking Map at Wunderground

Pictures of Philippine devastation at Yahoo News

Heavy rain, windy, cooling trend

Thai Meteorological Department issued a new weather advisory 
Widespread, very heavy rains and a drop in temperatures is forecast.
There is a high possibility that night time temperatures will drop to the high teens C (66F)

Missed the local firewalking

Went there during the early afternoon. They were passing out free vegetarian meals.  Otherwise nothing else was happening
I'll have to remember to go there in the evenings next year.

Teaching Position in Akat Amnuai

Salary At least 30,000 baht per month
job listing at ajarnjobspace.com

How many Thais does it take to build a platform ?

Areas have been assigned to racing teams for their cheering platforms along Nong Hahn

  

The local government hospital apparently has a boat entered in the race.  They are building their platform.
If you look closely, one guy is doing the work,  the other 15 seem to be advisors and counterweights.

Further down along the shore they are still working on getting rid of all the vegetation

And the answer to todays question: One !!

Working Frenzied In Sakon - NOT

Read some news releases on the net, just a few days ago:
"Craftsmen have been working feverishly to build a bee wax castle."
I don't know who writes this stuff.
I checked out a few of them.  The work is complete.
Most wax castles are now sitting in shaded and ventilated areas to keep the wax from getting soft.

They have been building these wax castles for a few centuries now.  The craftsmen know exactly what supplies, how many helpers... to get the job done on time

They are placing the bleachers along the parade route.  Nothing frantic there either.

An elephant and horse seem to be grazing near a temple. They seem quite horny.

New 500M Sports Facility to be built in Sakon

Heard a rumor that Sakon F.C. had been sold some time ago.
Today the local TV station had the story on their news.
A new Sakon province sports facility, complete with stadium, pool, and other amenities is being built at a cost expected to exceed 500M baht.
Landfill is already under way for the facility to be located near the Sakon Nakhon airport.

BRRRR

Recently mentioned

The most intense La Nina since 1955 is forming near the equator. 

Expect unseasonably heavy rains.  Philippines bracing for La Nina

There's an update of what to expect at THE NATION

La Nina to cause record drop in temperature...

36 years ago (1974) Sakon Nakhon recorded its coldest night on record 1.4C (34.52F).


While THE NATION suggest a thirty year low, other parts of the globe expect a 55 year low


Warnings of winter illnesses, especially pneumonia and influenza are now appearing at some Thai health offices

Additional reading:
Herbs used for winter illnesses
Using foods to prevent and cure winter illness