I think it was 2006 when I first watched the Sakon Christmas parade.
A convoy of trucks with lit stars.
The following year I decided to sneak into the parade and participate.
I bought almost a dozen bags of candy. I intended to throw the candy to the kids watching the parade.
We were in the parking lot near the parade gathering point.
When the policeman in the parade lead car turned on his emergency lights, signaling the start of the parade, we headed to our truck. We intended to merge into parade.
The policeman wouldn't stand for that.
He helped us carry the candy to his police vehicle.
That year I was throwing candy from the lead vehicle in the parade.
Some of my Thai friends watching the parade were astounded to see me up front of the parade.
I noted the following year that a number of parade participants were throwing candy into the crowd.
Pictures of the 2006 Ned's Christmas Party
I added 74 pictures of the Christmas party at Ned's Bar in 2006 into a private online album. If you participated and wish to see the photo's, please contact me for the link.
Tha Rae Christmas Star parade Dec 24, starts at sunset
It's been dubbed the "Star of David Festival," and promoted as such in all media. ISN Hot News
I'm not a theologian, but the way I see it they got it all wrong.
King David lived a thousand years before Christ. The star was the insignia on shields of the time.
There is some discussion that the star was used even before King David's time in the occults and witchcraft.
Today the Star of David is associated with Judaism and is on the Israeli flag.
The star celebrated at Christmas time is the legendary star which guided the three wise men.
It is known as the Christmas Star, or Bethlehem Star, or Star of the East.
Most likely Christmas lights are a tradition adapted from the Jewish Festival of lights,Hanukkah, which was celebrated this year from Dec 1 through 9.
Had two early morning appointments at my house, so I made no special effort to photograph the festivities around town.
I did have to go shopping at the electric store at 10 AM.
Of course I ran smack dab into the fireworks.
One guy saw me coming and made sure I'd have ringing in my ears for a while.
Seeing the youngest child high up in the air always makes me nervous. But I guess there were enough people below to catch the kids in case of a mishap.
At least this year they had an ambulance standing by
There'll be plenty of noise at the temple tonight
Leaked report reveals Thai military responsible for protesters' deaths Guardian UK
Nasa sells shuttle PCs without wiping secret data BBC
They were lining up along the street to watch the parade
Mister "T" ain't going to America
Didn't think so from the start. Was more of a publicity stunt.
Hadn't been in the headlines for a while. It's safer doing a video link. Thaksin canceles US tripThai-Asean News
Martin has announced he'll be opening his shop Friday at 466/1 Thanon Senthai Road.
Just a few doors from the Satawtree restaurant.
From Big C head south throught the intersection there. At the next intersection, turn left.
Brrr
The general consensus is that last night was the coldest night of the season (so far),
Official Thai Meteorological recorded the temperature at 14C (57).
Add to that windchill and you have feels like temperatures hovering around 12C (53F).
Expect similar, even slightly cooler temperatures over the next few nights.
A cold front which could be seen in southernmost China over recent weeks has now entered Laos.
You can see it at weather.com.
This Week
10 Constitution Day
Sakon Pattana Suska School Parade and Student activities day
My house was almost at a capacity crowd. Video game on the front porch, ping pong and swimming.
The pool water is too cold as far as I am concerned, but not for half a dozen visitors.
No one was interested in watching the parade or the celebrations. I was on my own.
It wasn't the usual parade down main street, but four smaller parades converging on the city park.
I stopped off at the local Chinese temple. I knew they were making last minute preparations for the festivities.
Last minute preparations were also underway at the park.
Then I saw rows of security and government vehicles.
With such heavy security, undoubtedly high ranking officials would be present.
Made me loose all interest in staying around.
Locally it was a dry day (No Alcohol Sales). According to Dave The Rave this was not a nationwide dry day. Bangkok was one of the cities where alcohol sale was allowed. Bars and clubs were open for business.
Used to be a nationwide dry day. In subsequent years alcohol sales were allowed. These days it seems to be up to local governments. Or is it that no one knows the law and makes up their own.
I had no problems buying a beer and saw a number of purchases wrapped in newspaper.
On the subject of alcohol, Pattaya has extended bar hours to 3 AM and is considering allowing bars to remain open 24 hrs. Bars are particularly hurting because of the continuing downturn of customers.
A number of bars have closed permanently. More closures are likely.
Heard drums beating (this afternoon)
Nothing on the main street, so I drove down to the local school (Sakon Pattana Suska).
It was a parade rehearsal. They are having a student activities day (aka Sport Day) this Friday.
Just hearing about their parade route makes me feel tired.
They start off at the Provincial office buildings and finish the parade at the school.
S-BAC will have their day on Dec 28. Visitors welcome.
Frozen Treat
Most fruit or vegetables have to be blanched before you can freeze them.
Apparently not grapes. Clean them and stick a bowl in the freezer.
Makes a refreshing frozen snack.
Grandma's Cure
Been taking a couple of aspirin per day.
Add to that five cups of coffee in the morning, and you have an upset stomach.
Been drinking plenty of the pink stuff lately to ease my painfull upset stomach.
Then I remembered my Grandmother's remedy. I powdered my rice with cinnamon.
Relief was almost immediate. Been using cinnamon daily in tea since then.
It's cold out there
Queen Elizabeth II -- Underwear Up for Auction TMZ.com(so that's what ROYAL BLOOMERS look like!!)
Accident Halts Live TV Game Show in Germany YouTube (Kids: don't try this at home)
TSA Security (Rocky Horror Parody) YouTube (prefer the original)
Trees as Banking collateral Bangkok Post (Thai Innovation)
Doorbell rang early this morning. Usually don't receive visitors before noon.
Some of my adopted Thai family brought me breakfast.
They do that quite often. Bless their hearts.
It's really delicious.
Most Thai breakfasts consist of soup
This was a different occasion "Happy Father's day." It makes me feel really great to have such friends.
The nights have been getting cooler. I'm not complaining.
Some of you folk may think it's T-shirt weather compared to the snow and ice you are encountering.
But when your day temperatures are 97F (36C) and your night temperatures drop as low as 55F (13C), it's time to grab a blanket.
Fat Boy sleeps on a rug during the cooler nights
Watched Football (soccer) last night.
Ho Hum, another draw
Thailand had previously (Dec 1) played against Laos. That game also ended in a tie 2 - 2
Visited the Welcome bar last week
The bar is now Thai owned and operated. It's mostly a late night bar.
If you see their shutters partially open, you are welcome to visit. They keep the shutters partially down to keep the hot sun out.
Folks looking for books to read may wish to stop off there. The Welcome Bar is continuing their book exchange.
Poor Sportsmanship
England canceled a friendly match in Thailand planned early next year.
Thailand execs didn't support British hopes for the 2018 FIFA world cup.
If you don't want to play my game, I'm going home and taking my marbles with me!
Mama does my weekly beef purchases every Saturday morning. Recently prices have crept higher on a weekly basis.
My freezer is almost empty. Plenty of room. Within the next few days I'll head to the slaughterhouse and purchase a six month supply. The slaughterhouse sells to the general public after 8:30 PM, every day except Mondays.
See this on December 11
Avoid this on Dec 11 (don't stand too close)
It's a strange world out there
Keystone Cops Alive and Well
Detectives spent eight hours investigating the grizzliest murder scene in 35 year before realizing it was a movie set. Read about at Mail Online
