Football as a Watersport

Heavy tropical rains arrived from the east around mid day and lasted for about an hour.
The rain stopped in the early afternoon. The football field was drenched with some puddles four inches deep. 

I'd been told that Sakon FC odd's improved due to the loss of a star player on the Nakhon Phanom FC team. No mention was made of a number of Sakon shortcomings. One local player sat in the audience, suspended from the game, due to a prior red card.
Sakon FC also had a new goalie in place. A bit green at first. He let a goal slip by early in the game. After that,  he did improve.

Another Sakon ace was injured early in the game and had to sit out the remainder with injuries.

July 2010

That one and only goal  by Nakhon Phanom did hurt a bit more than usual, It was almost like a revenge goal.
The goal was made by last years Sakon Nakhon team captain, who was 'sold' to Nakhon Phanom at the start of this year's season.

Sakon Nakhon put up a valiant effort.  Local fans were not disappointed.
Dozens of close call's did have fans cheering the team on.

Refereeing wasn't all that outstanding and was booed a number of times, especially when a Sakon FC goal was disallowed.

Of course with the field soaked there was plenty of slipping and sliding.  Frequently players had dug their shoes into the ground and where 'plowing the field.'  By the time the game ended, the field was ideally suited for mud-wrestling.
Sure the loss was disappointing, but it was one of the most thrilling games this season.

Sakon Nakhon travels to Mukdahan next Sunday, September  10 for a game there.  Start time is 4 PM.

..

English lessons just got a lot easier for me

As promised I finally have a computer and overhead projector in my classroom. It helps when over half the class forgets their textbook, or probably sold it.

Use Google translate most of the time, but also use Google pictures to help the learning process.
I use the textbook only half of the time. English textbooks printed in Asia tend to need some proofreading.
Choose the word from the box below! No box or list of names appear below.
 Have also caught a number of grammatical errors.

Occasionally I get stumped between British and American English.
Take a recent lesson: A picture of a boy and girl. The boy asks "can I borrow the rubber."
Where I come from if I were to ask a store clerk where I could find "the rubber," he would not direct me to the stationary section for an eraser.

Google translate has also come in quite handy to quell class disruptions.
I typed: "Three girls in the back of the classroom are sharing some hot gossip."
Made them blush, but it did stop their private conversation.

 I've also learned quickly that I must pre-screen some searches.
Recently used Google pictures to explain "dress classy.'
The pictures that popped up resembled a Fredrick's of Hollywood catalog. I quickly deleted that page. At least I had all the boy's attention.

 

Gossips

• Sakon FC odds of winning against Nakhon Phanom have just improved.
The star player for Nakhon Phanom has been fired.
He decided to play for another team in the Coca Cola cup without approval from his team
Sakon FC hosts Nakhon Phanom FC Sunday at 5 PM.

• Night market food prices have doubled on some items.
A fried egg which previously sold for 5 Baht, now sells for 10 Baht.
Other prepared food prices have also risen noticeably.
Where prices have not risen, expect significantly smaller portions.

Smörgåsbord

Concert at city Hall this evening, missed it 

There's a concert at Sakon City Hall this evening.  Traffic around the area, including the night marked is heavy.  It's an annual event, unfortunately I missed any public notices of the concert.  Can't miss the spotlights in the sky

Thailand FC 1 - Australia FC 2

Didn't expect Thailand to win against Australia. It was somewhat of a pleasant surprise that Thailand scored first and kept the lead during the first half. Australia had possession of the ball most of the game and kept the Thai defense very busy. Best player on the Thai team was the goal keeper. He quite often caught the ball or diffused a score attempt. But the odds were against him. 

OTOP  Festival September 15 through 18 

at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University

Google Street View is coming to Thailand thaitravelblogs

Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting street view as it is expected to promote tourism.

Of course this could also expose the seedier establishments for a world view. Google-X (rated) anyone?

Russia Green Lights $65 Billion Siberia-Alaska Rail and Tunnel to Bridge the Bering Strait!  inhabitat

A centuries long dream close to realism.  A rail link between Russia and Alaska.  There are no details how and if this rail link will travel through Alaska and Canada to reach the lower 48 states. The tunnel will be twice as longs as the Chunnel

Thailand Railway On Line Booking

NOTE:  There is no train service in Sakon Nakhon.  The nearest train service is in Udon Thani

The State Railway of Thailand  began on line ticketing and reservation on August 1

There is a 20 baht internet booking fee and credit card processing surcharge.

Bookings can be made at  thairailticket.com

North Eastern Line Schedules and Fares at Thailand by Train

A planned high speed rail system connecting China and other East Asian countries, through Thailand has been  suspended after the recent crash in China.

Thailand instead will focus on improving the domestic rail system

• Thailand revises high-speed rail plan...  REUTERS

Thailand on the Road to the 2014 world cup

02 SEP. 17:00 TST.   AUSTRALIA VS THAILAND

 

Brisbane training session Bangkok Post, Aug 31
Thailand's Rocky Road
 
Thais offered big bonus against Socceroos ESPN, Aug 31
The Football Association of Thailand offered a one million Baht bonus for a win...

Thai coach fears Socceroos on ground ninemsn, Aug 30
Thailand's toughest road (away) game

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