Watching the Floods from a Safe Distance

Used to watch a government operated webcam of the Bangkok riverfront.  I noticed the river level rising.
Recently the cam was taken offline for public viewing.  Access codes are now required to view the cam.
Is it censorship or did the cam receive too many visits to be of use for official purposes?

Bangkok High tide is expected Saturday morning approx. 7 am
Again Saturday evening approx. 7 pm

Wax Castle Parade 2011

The pictures were taken by Joey.
I've been a bit under the weather and did not partake in any of the celebrations and festivities this year.
My past back and neck injuries flared up over recent days, so I had no interest increasing the discomfort.

Events had been publicized to be broadcast live on Thai TV.
I'm only guessing, possibly due to all the flooding, the broadcasting equipment was in use elsewhere.
The local cable TV, 'STV' did broadcast the parade via the internet.  I only found out about the broadcast when I turned on the TV.

The fact that all events are alcohol free didn't encourage me to make an effort.
Not that I'm an alcoholic, but I do use alcohol as a pain medicine alternative when things are really bad.
Joey did mention that many people did ask about me. Mostly former students of mine.


Bangkok Flood Watch

• The next forty-eight  hours will be critical for Bangkok.  Will the repaired dams hold?  Will it rain?  What effects will the high tide have?

Local Weather

Weather Underground 

picture <link>

• Increased chance of rain Thursday through Saturday 60%.  Occasional Thunderstorms.

Local weather conditions and temperatures seem to be quite average for this time of year. 'slightly cooler.'

Pictures Pending

Processing photo's from yesterday's parade.
Cropping, enhancing, Et cetera.
Over 200 pictures. It will take a few hours before they are posted.

Thanks for your patronage.

Meanwhile:  What's your opinion?

Is it real or is it staged?
I tend to believe it was staged.
If it was real, then the guy is just plain LUCKY.

Let's Parteeeeeee

Flood conditions = SHORTAGES = PRICE SPIKE

Dill, one of my favorites, 

has doubled in price at the local night market.

A bunch went from 10 Baht (USD.32) to 20 Baht.  

Vendors are blaming the doubling of prices on shortages due flood conditions

Jicama is in season

Tastes like the offspring from an apple and a potato wedding. Juicy and starchy

Pronounced mangau 'Man Kaeo' in Thai,

also called Mexican yam bean or Chinese potato.

Nutritional Value  

"LIVE BROADCAST" at Thai TV 5

Don't shoot the messenger.  
Festival Brochures advertised live broadcast.
But it didn't happen.
All I can say "this is Thailand"
Possibly a couple of bursts of heavy rain preempted the broadcast ??

 "LIVE BROADCAST" at Thai TV 5 

Sakon Nakhon Royal longboat races final heats

Sunday October 9, 4pm to 5pm local time

Thai TV5 can be seen on the web at

 wwitv.com

Visited the boat race track yesterday. The sun was hot, brimmed hat, umbrella, and/or sunscreen is advisable.

Definitively more race teams than in recent years.
But the general crowd seemed much smaller.

It's the first year no alcohol is sold at the event.

The no alcohol effect could also be noted in the cheering stands.  Not as vocal as in previous years.

Dont drive drunk or you may wind up with broken joints

 

This lamp post on I.T.U. hasn't fully recovered from a  recent D.U.I.
The lamp post. which had been knocked over and luckily caused no injuries in the fall,
has been replanted in it's rightful position.  However there are still some broken joints which need mending.

Buzzy as a (wax castle) Bee

Last minute preparations were still underway Friday at the Ming Muang Field,
where most of the Wax Castle celebrations are staged

The concert stage is ready

Many vendors were already open for business 

Most anything you can think of, you can buy it 'at the fair.'

I did mention, most anything you can think of, you can find it here
Women's dresses 100 THB (USD 3.25), Brassieres 59THB (USD 1.90

Central Thailand Flooding expected to get worse

Ayutthaya disaster worsens  Bangkok Post

Main highway to North swamped, jail evacuated

Water, water everywhere  Bangkok Post

Ayutthaya flood disaster that seems to be getting worse and worse without an end in sight.

Crocs escape in flood-hit Ayutthaya   Bangkok Post

Landslide danger in Phuket's mountains

 American Citizens services Message on Flooding in Thailand 

.....conditions are expected to continue for at least several more days, worsening in the Chao Phraya River basin from Uthaithani and Chai Nat provinces to Ayutthaya.

.... portions of 54 highways are closed.  This includes the Asia Highway, the main highway north out of Bangkok. 

Bus and train service linking Bangkok with points to the north is suspended.