NOK Air Sakon Nakhon flights

In a press release published April 5th the text reads in part:
"... and Sakon Nakhon (Increase from 1 to 2 Daily). These flights operates with Boeing 737-400..."

Press release can be found at airlineroute.net or  routesonline.com

In an article dated April 7, 2011 routesonline.com reports:
"..and a second daily flight to Sakon Nakhon from May 3, using a Saab 340.."

My vote goes to the Saab 340

Boeing 737-400

First flew in 1988 and production ended in 2000.
Has a seating capacity of up to 168

Saab 340

First flew in 1983 and production ended in 1998.
Has a seating capacity of 37

Sakon Dog-Gone Gang

 Storms expected in 48 provinces  THE NATION April 20

Heavy rains predicted to hit the area two days ago moved from East to West, just south of Sakon.
The only effect felt locally was a rapid drop in temperatures.


  Local Dog-Gone-Gang apprehended 
Villagers were complaining that their dogs were being stolen.  Three suspects were apprehended.
The price of dog meat has risen, making stealing dogs a profitable venture.
My neighborhood used to be much quieter before the practice became illegal.
Many of my neighbors have two or more dogs.  None of them confined to the yard.  Almost nightly I am awakened by dogs on the prowl and fighting.
Personally I have no interest in eating dog, but many locals consider it a delicacy.


 Sakon FC Drops from 6th to 9th place in the division standings 
The downhill slide will most likely continue as they next face number one in the league Roi ET

  Thailand Driving License The REAL Road Rules finally available! Thailand Musings

If you like tart taste.. 

..then don't miss this  berry now in season.  Was a bit too tart for my tastes, but after three days in a salt and sugar brine, they tasted a bit like sauerkraut.

 

Why I'm not fond of Trinkets

Received this little handcrafted trinket as a New Years present.
Raw Brown sugar, ants included

Expletives censored
Someone sent me a copy of the original video.  This is the edited version.  insert your own expletives.

Motorcyclist beware of big rigs 

Gesundheit (bless you)

Sonkran Encore

Thought I was excluded from this years S-B.A.C*. Songkran celebrations.
Hadn't heard from them since graduation.

Received a call this morning: 
"Can you come to the school for our celebrations.  We start at ten."  
I looked at the clock (9:10).

I showered.  Don't know why I did that, knowing I was going to come home looking like I walked through a car wash.

As I drove to the school I noticed flags along the highways.
They are an indication that someone important is about to arrive.

I arrived at the school at 9:50. Nothing much was happening. Everyone was waiting.

At 10:10 the 'Drive-by Monk' arrived. He visits the school every Tuesday as a passenger in a pick-up. The vehicle door is opened and the monk receives alms and gives his blessings through the open truck door.

This time he decided on an extended sermon lasting 40 minutes.

It was almost 11 am when the ritualistic dousing of Buddha began.

After that I sat with school elders while water was poured into our cupped hands.
I used the water collected in my hands to cool down my well wishers.

And then of course the water mayhem began. Kept my camera well away from the water fun.  I was one of the main targets.
The pictures I took as I was leaving clearly evidence that everyone and everything was thoroughly wet.
We did have to drag a few people out of the offices they were trying to hide in.

Driving home, there were cops every hundred yards or so along the highway.  And yes I was stopped to let a convoy of police cars pass.  Someone important is in town!!

* SakonNakhon Business Administration College

You think only humans celebrate... Hey come back here with that bottle of rum... burp

Sakon FC hands Loi FC another victory

Hadn't expected a win for Sakon. 
After all Loi was in second position in the division, with five wins and one loss.
But Sakon sure gave them a 'run for their money.'

A Real Class Act
A minute of silence was observed before the game to commemorate the recent passing of Ken's (Ikenna) father

Once the game got underway, you wouldn't believe that Sakon was the 'underdog.'  
Sakon took the lead very early in the game.

5:02 PM

5:09 pm

 











But the Loi players showed what they're made of

5:10 pm

5:23 pm

5:32 pm

 






 During the second half of the game there seemed to be plenty of opportunities and hope to even the score. Plenty of excitement, but 'no cigar.'

There seemed to be a bit of excitement at one point in the game when security moved in.  Tempers where cooled, no mayhem ensued.

Coaching staff on the field avoided a penalty and were politely escorted to the sideline

It was a strange mix of spectators

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