Sakon Nakhon Agricultural Fair Now Open

The annual Agricultural Fair on the Kasetsart University grounds starts Today. The fair features irrigation management and improved farm techniques. The focus is on food safety to promote quality agricultural products for export, thus enabling local farmers to improve their incomes. The fair runs through September 4.

The University campus is 12 miles from the city of Sakon Nakhon.

   

Been a while (2006) since I attended the Agricultural Fair.
When I arrived they were just demonstrating rectal exams with arm-length gloves.

It's my understanding that what now is the College campus used to be the Sakon Nakhon Airport. 

That's my Thai Buddy and Guardian Angel  Samart, his wife and their masked grandson. Bought that blue blanket for around Bt 200. Served me quite well as couch protection for five years. Time to get a replacement. 

Other Sakon Reads

At the web board 'skyscraper city' is a thread of over 40 pages entitled:
SAKON NAKHON "City of Beautiful lake, Beautiful Mountain and Beautiful Girl"
It's worth scrolling through the pages for some really great local photography.

The board is in Thai, so if you want to read some of the articles, then install a translator (add-on) into your browser. On page 43 there's an article mentioning a celebration in Tao Ngoi District (southern most district of Sakon Nakhon province), on September 12.  The event is highlighted by a barge procession similar to those held on the Mekon River



Wolfgang S. aka Farang Mike in Issan  recently wrote "Sakon Nakhon, an introduction," at his website<
Wolfgang S. is obviously a professional travel writer. The article is a  brief overview of the area's history, sights, entertainment, accommodations, etc.

Sakon FC beat opponent Mahasarakham 1 - 0

video by Zintiara

The game started two hours before the listed start time of 6 pm. A practice becoming very common with away games.
The game was broadcast via a live feed from the Sakon FC website and was also broadcast on local Sakon Cable television.

The team, which had previously slipped to twelfth place, has advanced to eight' place with this win.
Sakon FC next host Nakhon Phanom on Sunday, September 4.
Many local fans jokingly consider this game as Sakon FC vs Sakon FC.
Five of Nakhon Phanom players where traded from Sakon FC at the start of the season.
Nakhon Phanom is in the tenth position in the North Eastern Region.

Five games remain to be played this season

Sunday, September 4     17:00	Nakhon Phanom
Saturday, September 10 16:00	Mukdahan
Sunday, September 18   17:00	Nakhon Ratchasima
Saturday, September 24 16:00	Udon Thani
Saturday, October 1       17:00	Kalasin

yellow = home games

Yes, we have a "NO Gambling Crackdown"

The Headlines

• August 25,  The Nation No gambling in Bangkok: Jakthip
• August 26,  The Nation MP's gambling-dens charge prompts crackdown
• August 26  Bangkok Post Chuvit's tip on gambling den pans out

Locals give it two weeks before things should be back to 'Normal"



In my Days... I used to love Karaoke
Don't let grandpa tell you they didn't have those confounded karaoke machines during his time.
They were just a lot less affordable.  PANG!!!

 19th and 20th Century Karaoke machine

Remedy for flooding 'discussed' again

Nong Han, Thailand's second largest freshwater lake covers 77,016 acres.

The lake is becoming shallower each year with an annual estimated 300,000 cubic meters of sediment entering the lake.
Source: ryt9 (Thai)

Comment: Talk of dredging the lake appear in the media almost yearly.  Now with increased flooding in the area, more serious consideration may develop.
The lake is a source of fresh water for many local communities and farmers.  With an influx of new housing, dredging the lake would insure sufficient future supplies

New Museum to open in Phu Phan later this year

First read about the development of a Museum in Phu Phan two days ago.
The translated article made little sense to me.
From that article I understood that the local military and residents are involved in the development.
20 million Baht is to be spent on the museum.
Other than Phu Phan the specific location was not mentioned to date.

Face Saving White Lies

Thought my teaching days were over.  Had given notice early in July.
My reasoning at the time was that my classes were mostly preempted by school social events.
Teaching English once a month just didn't seem to be of any benefit to anyone.

Was on the phone with the school yesterday for almost an hour and finally caved in.
I did receive a promise that only one class would be preempted till the end of the term.

Students and teachers of course did not know the truth about my absence.

As far as they were concerned I had been ill.  It's a face saving white lie instead of admitting he real reason.

To emphasize my recent illness I was presented with a "get well basket."
Further appeasement was promised to be in place  by Friday:  A computer and big screen TV.
Teaching and lecturing will be so much easier with visual aids.

Look at the basket, how many vitamin drinks?  If you think eighteen, you're wrong.  The boxes are empty decorations.  Deceptive!!

Extended Rainy Season Predicted

An unfaltering El Nino, keeping the ocean water temperatures hotter than usual, is blamed for a rainy season which may well last through the end of the year and into 2012.

•  Heavier rainfall feared in coming months Bangkok Post August 23

• Pacific Surface temperatures are well into the 80's and 90's wunderground

Present weather conditions

Coming from the north, expect rain momentarily

110823 Sakon Nakhon Sandwich and Steak House >> Bygone

Until recently, the choice of expat establishments in the city of Sakon Nakhon was quite limited. That changed almost overnight. Now expats have three places to choose from.

1. ChernChim

2. Sunshine Garden

3. Sakhon Sandwich and Steak House

The Sandwich and  Steak house is the latest addition to the scene.
It's located at the entrance to the PLR Apartments, just off I.T.U.

I've eaten there twice since Sunday. In my opinion the food is  **** (4 star).
Hakan and his wife had been in the area for three years, but only recently opened their restaurant.  They expect to expand their restaurant into the shop next door at the end of the month. 

Most portions are quite filling, but if you wish a hamburger, you might want to consider ordering two.
At 35 baht per burger, these portions are made for local on the go customers

 

Click on menu for larger view