Saturday, December 25, 2010

SakonNakhon Beef Fest


For a moment I wasn't sure where I was.

American Indians...

Is that the Marlboro Man?


Definetly doesn't remind me of any Thai cattle farmer.











Here's some SakonNakhon beef reality

Above normal drought conditions likely

Sakon Nakhon Residents advised to use water wisely

An above normal drought is likely in the coming months according to the Meteorological Department.
Local farmers are being advised to plant drought resistant crops.
Water storage levels are being closely monitored.
While Nong Han water level is at 80%, other province reservoirs are at 70 to 66%
source ryt9   translated version


Phuket high season down

Tourism is down 25% from last year in Phuket, according to an article in the Phuket Gazette.
The last few years haven't been all that great for Thai tourism numbers.
Recent government reports contradict these findings, reporting a steady increase in arrivals.
Thailand's overall tourism numbers may be up somewhat, but the big spenders seem to be going elsewhere.

Governments tend to distort statistics for their own benefit.
A typical example is a recent US government finding that there has been no rise in the cost of living in the U.S. over the past year.
Makes you wonder where these people do their shopping.


Bus travel may be dangerous to your health

YouTube - Double Decker Crash Kills Thai Tourists in Malaysias Highlands

YouTube - Raw Video Bus Crash Kills Dozens in Ecuador
YouTube - Five badly hurt as coach overturns near Norwich

Merry Christmas

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Let the holiday overindugence begin

Here's a few pictures of the gathering at Eddie's Bar after the funeral yesterday


Tomorrow I'll be heading to Tha Rae, where there will be a Christmas Mass and Christmas Play before the parade.
Christmas day I will be attending a private Christmas dinner.
The following day, Boxing day, I'll most likely visit the local beef festival.


Wish all a very enjoyable Christmas holiday

Expect cooler temperatures over the next few days. There is some question as to how cold it will get, but weather services seem to agree that it will get cooler


Friday Saturday Sunday MondayTuesday
Thai Meteorological 33/20 33/20
29/17
26/1524/13
Accuweather 34/17 30/9 24/923/924/10
Weather Underground 31/1933/17 28/12 27/13







Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Eddie packs the house one last time

The Chapel was filled beyond capacity,
The pews were filled and extra chairs had to be brought out.

Been here nine years.  Attended festivals, parades, parties and funerals.
In all this time I have never seen so many westerners gathering in this city.

There is no better Eulogy than that.  Eddie had a lot of friends from many nations.
Some of his friends traveled great distances to bid their last farewell.

Until he became ill I used to visit Eddie at least three times a week.
He was a dear friend.  I'm only sorry that he did not achieve his dream:

He was waiting for the day when he would get his pension.  He had traveling plans:
"I'm gonna blow this popsicle stand."
Eddy was only months away from achieving his dream


To view/copy all pictures in this album go here
All pictures may be copied and distributed for non-commercial use.

I invite all of his friends to eulogize Eddy by leaving a comment

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Eddie's last rites time and place changed

Meet at What Pa Suthawat (the temple previously designated for last rites)at 1:30 PM, Wednesday, Dec 22.
Then convoy to Phan Khwang's Saint Pio 10th Church


Phan Kwang is on the Sakon-Udon highway
There will be a get-together at Eddie's Bar after the funeral services.

What ?? I have to pay to show others how dumb I am?


Chern Chim Holidays


Christmas Hours
Christmas Eve (Dec 24) 10 AM to 10 PM
Christmas Day (Dec 25) Noon to 9 PM

Boxing Day      (Dec 26) 10 AM to 10 PM
                       Quiz Night 7 PM, Bt100 per person, prizes awarded, please book ahead 0872269151

(Comment overheard regarding quiz night:  What I have to pay to show others how dumb I am?)



Escape Bar Christmas day dinner


Turkey and potluck (guests bring their own food)










The demographics of Thai tourism have changed  
read more at the Phuket Gazette

Slow News Day at the Pattaya Daily
German man dies in bed watching porn read more
It's not the worst way to go


Most Popular Free Windows Downloads of 2010  at lifehacker



Monday, December 20, 2010

Eddies last rites

Wednesday, 3 PM, What Pa Suthawat


Mekon River At Nakhon Phanom

Gene recently told me that he was planning a visa run in Nakhon Phanom.
I asked him to take some pictures of the river to see the water level.
I had heard it was quite low.
From the looks of things, it is low for this time of the year.  The rainy season just ended two months ago.
All the steps to the boats are now above water.
The Welcome to Thailand signs is a bit ominous.
Reports Gene: "Customs was rummaging through everything..."

...it was very hazy...

Eddie has left us

March 2010


I first received word on Facebook



July 2009

Pictures from Eddie's Grand Opening May 15 2008