Staying cool

11:30 am

2:30 pm

Temperatures exceeded forecasts of a high of 37 before noon.
On days like this I prefer to stay close to home.
Cool drink and an occasional dip into the pool.
 
Had a number of unexpected guests visit me during the day.
They all came indoor and sat around the TV.

It was quite obvious that they didn't care what was on TV,
They where more interested in the fact that the living room was Yen
(เย็น - cool).

Later in the afternoon, while attending the football game I kept wet towels filled with ice on top of my head. That kept me quite comfortable.  
Don't care what it looks like as long as it keeps me YEN

Booze Radar Engaged

Songkran Day Two
The effects of the previous day's overindulgence were quite noticeable in the morning.
Not a hangover, just a general Blah and rundown feeling.
Electrolyte and plenty of water helped resuscitate me.
I was in no way interested in participating in the public water frolics on that day.
My neighborhood was eerily silent all day.  Hardly anyone home anywhere.

Different story on Songkran Day Three


Temperatures rose quickly and early.
Great day to jump into the pool and do the cleaning from within.
Clouds started rolling in around 1 PM, but it was still hot and humid.
 
I sent one of the locals shopping to refresh my supply of ice and drinks.
Before the resupply was accomplished, 17 people were on my front porch.
Booze Radar!!  Booze Radar Engaged!!  
It was a quick revelry, everyone departed for the "battle zone' within the hour.


House cleaned, pool cleaned, we headed out for the wet celebrations in town.  Parked at the 'main temple' parking lot and started walking.

Back at home my clothes bypassed the wash machine and went directly to the clothesline

Elsewhere in Thailand
April blood, Thais beat each other, neck sliced.

Road deaths down 48% in early Songkran Asia One

Mystery Thai illness strikes another tourist Toronto Sun

Indonesia, Thailand seen having normal 2011 rains Asia One

Sugar Contracts for October May Switch to Contango on Thai Crop Bloomberg

 

Inevitable Mobile update

After much procrastination I decided to replace my eight year old mobile phone.
All that one did was make phone calls and sent text messages.
It was very annoying beeping every time an advertisement text message was sent.  I avoided all text messages.

I don't have pin sized fingers, so my only prerequisite was that it had large keys.I was given two options.  
The first option weighed as much as my laptop, too heavy!
I went with the second option.

Tried to familiarize myself with the phone without reading the manual.
Dialed my local dentist at least a dozen times.  Think (hope) I aborted all calls before connection.

The manual is pathetic. They should give out free microscopes with each manual.



No luck finding the manual on the net.  

 Attempted to transfer the pictures onto my computer a number of times.  Eventually my computer figured out what I was trying to do and did it for me.
Hope it remembers how to next time, cause I sure don't. 

First test photo's

Bt30 ($1) curry dinner

In store demonstration of photo

Hot Anyway you look at it

	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday
Thai Meteorological	35/21 cool	36/22 cool	36/22 10% *precip	37/23 10% *precip	37//24 partly cloudy	37/24 partly.cloudy
Accuweather	37/24 partly sunny	38/24 partly.sunny	36/25 thunderstorm	37/25 thunderstorm	35/21 thunderstorm	34/22 showers	35/23 shower
Accu weather Feels like	41/21	41/25	39/25	43/28	46/24	39/23	39/26
Wunderground	37/24 partly.cloudy	37/25 partly.cloudy	37/27 mostly.cloudy	36/25 partly cloudy	33/22 70% *precip	33/23 10%* precip	35/28 10% *precip

* chance of
LOL: Notice some forecasters are calling this weather cool

Sakon Nakhon Songkran 2011

Pictures of water frolicking and parade

Watched some of the water dowsing from the temple parking lot.
Afterwards made my way to the Provincial headquarters where the parade was to begin at 1:30.
I've learned a thing about Thai Time. Arrived at 1:50, just as the parade got underway.

Booze free festival camouflage

Raising the Roof

My neighbor's been at it for over a week. One hour every morning before going to work. 6:30 to 7:30. He's building a roof between three houses on his property.
Working with steel gets a bit noisy at times. Needless to say I'm looking forward completion of the project.


It's a holiday today and my neighbor began laying the tin sheets promptly at 6:30. Noisier than usual of course. Looking at what he'd accomplished in an hour, I'd say he'll get done by early afternoon, just in time to make merry with his family.

Promptly at 7:30 somewhat soothing (sedated) music started to play over the 'municipal Intercom.' 
After 5 minutes or "Thai elevator music, a young ladie's voice could be heard making an announcement. Then the broadcast was terminated.

video clip capture

Pre - Merrymaking Scout Trip

The town is abuzz. Traffic is heavier than normal in the city center. 
A large part of the traffic is making their way to Big C. 
If you can, I'd suggest postponing your shopping trip till after the holidays. 
If you do go, bring an extra helping or two of patience.
Did see quite a number of new western ATM's doing a village supply run.

Approaching Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, tents set up on the street have created a one lane funnel approach

If you haven't been to the temple lately, they recently removed that unsightly wall and replaced it with an equally unsightly parking lot

The Statue table where the faithful come and pour water on Buddha replicas, has been moved from previous years, when it was under the shaded building awnings.

Bird ladies at the temple eagerly await revelers wishing to set a bird free, for a price.
Of course after having been given their freedom, these birds head home and will be back at the temple the next day.

13 through 15 April

Notice the Road barriers alongside the road

Municipal grounds being readied for evening entertainment

At the other side of the municipal grounds pee wee soccer

The part of the parade route which turns into the evening food fair

Those people not busy with a shopping expedition are busy delivering party supplies



Leaving town it becomes very apparent that we haven't had a decent rain since last October

At the other End of I.T.U. road check ready

They found a man made watering hole

Another road check ready

Have a safe and pleasant Songkran

Songkran's first road death reported   April 12 THE NATION


UK’s tougher visa rules for overseas students  expatforum
Students are required to have improved English comprehension and are not entitled the right to work.

Enjoy the "Hot Season," Rainy season starts next week

I may be just kidding, but then I may not.
The extended forecast calls for clouds and rain every day next week. Accuweather
Forecasts beyond three or four days are a little more than anticipations.
Plenty of things can cause the weather to do a 360.


Starting this weekend
High temperatures mixed with rain, nighttime temperatures rising
Pleasant nighttime temperatures  we've been having recently are about to abandon us.
It's time once again to dust off the air conditioner.

Clear skies above "for the moment"