Sakon Nakhon Royal Trophy Longboat Races 2011

Sakon Nakhon(city)  October 8-9  The event starts off with an early morning parade (approx 9 am) delivering the trophies to the lakefront. A boat parade follows  the trophy delivery ceremony.   Boat parade seating is limited.  Early arrival recommended. Qualifying races are held during the first day. The second day elimination races and final race, followed by a ceremonial awarding of trophies

There are countless boat races throughout  the province celebrating the end of the rainy season lasting (approximately) two weeks

City Critter Show

Sakon Football 

at Yasothon this Sunday

is streamed live at     

Sakon FC  5 p.m. local time

Weather: 

heavy rains mostly in the northern part of the province

animated Asia satellite at weather com

 

Ok People, knock it off with the rockets, the rain god is awake

The last few days the monsoon rains seemed a bit heavier than the usual tropical rains.
My drains almost overflowed during today's rainstorm. Definitely a first.
So far these storms have been less than half an hour.
If such rain lasts for a few hours you can expect local flooding.
Surprisingly no flood warnings have been posted for this area in some time.
I suppose you can say the Bun Bang Fai (rocket) festivals have definitely done their job

One of four downspouts, yesterday and today

My neighbors roof

In the name of religion

His name is Niko Alm from Austria.  It took him three years for officials to cave in and let him wear his "religious spaghetti strainer" for his drivers license photo.
BBC News    I laughed my A__ off

From My Mailbag

I hate when they do that

True TV recently realigned some of its TV channels.
A few people, including myself, thought many stations had disappeared.
They hadn't, the channels simply had been moved.

It's just as irritating as when they rearrange shelves in a grocery store

Thailand Tesco Lotus launches new discount campaign

Includes price reductions and price freezes until October
Read about it at Fresh Plaza

Bang Fai (rocket) Festival

When newscasts go awry 

Sakon FC at Surin

Pre Game Travel

With a lengthy history of severe hip, upper back and neck damage I wasn't looking forward to a lengthy (sitting) travel time.  I suspected it wasn't going to be a most comfortable trip.  Luckily I had a very comfortable seat and did not require medical attention upon arrival.  Just slightly stiff in the joints after almost five hours travel time.

Pre Game Meal

Nobby's Restaurant was our first stop after arriving in Surin.  I hadn't anticipated eating a heavy meal before the game, but sausage and German potato salad and a German beer was just too tempting.

At the Surin Stadium

The stadium was already packed by the time we arrived.  

Not much seating choice available.  The view was alright.  But some view was blocked by the "stairway to no-where."

The Surin fan crowd is the largest of any teams I have seen so far in the Thai Division 2 League North Eastern Region.

Announced total ticket sales was Bht 70,000. Admission was Bht40 equals 1,750 paid fans.

The stadium is well maintained and modern, however covered seating is limited and at a premium.  Luckily the sky was overcast protecting us from any scorching sun rays.

As Noted in every division stadium I have visited to date, Surin maintenance crews also hadn't figured out how to operate the clock, 
or did they just forget to buy batteries?

The Ballgame 

Being a recently refurbished team (seven new players), Sakon FC performed quite well.  

Their defensive play is impressive.  The Surin team was good, but far from impressive.

Their one score was obviously due to "home court advantage."

Sakon FC has slipped back into 9th position in the division, for the moment, but should improve it's division standings in the next two weeks.

Sakon FC next travels to Chaiyaphum (13th position) and hosts Nong Kai (8th position) at the end of the month.

Later that evening

After the ballgame we once again homesteaded at Nobby's. 

Compared to what I'm used to, the prices where a bit more 'noticable'.  But the food portions where huge and very pleasing to the palate.  

The evening also included complimentary samples of sausages, cheeses and a very pleasant samplings of an Italian coffee liquor.

A group of US marines and navy visiting the town, certainly made this evening a very profitable one for Nobby.   When we had visited earlier Nobby seemed to be an old grouch.  A full house definitely  put him in a very pleasant mood.

 

On the Road in Thailand

Obviously this is an army ambulance.  Seeing that graphic made me think of a different caption:
"first I get to wound him, then I get to treat him."
Personally I don't think guns and grenades are appropriate graphics for an ambulance.

Plenty of these overloaded looking vehicles on the road.
After rice has been milled, the husks are transported to factories where glazed clay roof shingles are produced.  Apparently the rice husks are ideal for firing the clay shingles where temperatures of 900 to 1200C are essential.
This driver has no idea what is approaching from behind or either side.  Could be an interesting lane change.

I'm not expecting a win, but I'm willing to be surprised

Topped off my wallet this morning. 
Bags are packet, not leaving on a jet plane, 
(but I'm thinking about the jet plane that's grounded in Munich).

We're off to see a ballgame.  

Sakon FC vs Surin FC. 
Surin is #5 in the division, while Sakon FC has sneaked into 8th place.  
I'm not expecting a win, but I'm willing to be surprised.


It's a long ride to this ballgame and I may have to seek out some pain medication before this trip ends.

I'll be eating a schnitzel tonight!!!!



Flood and landslide warnings throughout North and Northeast Thailand

Asarnha Bucha Day Parade

Mother nature was kind enough to keep the skies dry from late morning until early evening to allow for a dry parade.

Weather system arriving from E.N.E.

Wait until Tuesday, then...

Read an interesting article about Thai traffic law 
written by a legal scholar of sorts

• "... it is presumed that smaller vehicles give the right of way to larger vehicles..."

Now I understand why pedestrians have to dodge vehicles at crosswalks

Video Postcard from Sakon Nakhon by baanitsara

The Ball drops Tuesday

"... Election Commission will decide ..."

• A new storm brewing? THE NATION

Just another Thailand 'Police Story...' 

...until you read the first comment. 

Must be Confucian philosophy!

• Police seize smuggled gasoline in Phuket Phuket Gazette

Recommended Viewing

Quick Cat Nap   National Geographic

Know some guys do the same thing at the dinner table