Thai floods recede, crocodiles on the loose

REUTERS October 15	Thai floods claim more factories, Bangkok safe now
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AFP October 15	Over 100 crocodiles on the loose in Ayutthaya   Bounty hunters wanted
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Daily Telegraph October 15	Quantas jet makes safe landing after engine explodes Been there, Done that  !!
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Been there done that

November 19, 1970
I was being medevaced (medical evacuation) from Alaska.
Prior to my departure I had asked the doctor to give me some powerful pain medication, just in case I would need them in flight.
The plane was en route from Vietnam, with casualties, with a stopover in Anchorage, before heading to Seattle.
I had the window seat with a view of the engine.
The explosion reminded me of a canon going off.
A trail of fire and smoke behind the engine.  The co-pilot came running from the cockpit fire extinguisher in hand.
Of course the fire extinguished when the fuel supply to that engine was shut off.
Next came the announcement; "...we'll be circling for a while to dump our fuel before landing..."
The announcement was interrupted by a POFF from an engine at the other side. No fire this time.
The co-pilot, fire extinguisher in hand, again came from the cockpit for a visual inspection.
Right about that time I popped four pain pills.
The plane landed safely on two engines.
I was feeling no pains, no anxiety when I left the plane.

Ayutthaya July 1999

Happening in Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Sandwich and Steak House to open pizza shop at Sakon Nakhon EXPO shopping mall.

The pizza shop will open at the end of the month.

Bookworms have plenty to choose from at Martin's Chern Chim. 

The bookshelves are replenished with good reading. 

Hadn't seen any potatoes on grocery shelves for a few days.

I was anxiously trying to avoid spud withdrawal.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this French product on local grocery shelves.

Thailand's World Record

Achieved in April 2011

Thailand is the fourth favorite travel destination for Australians

• Spain, Middle East Philippines new travel hot spots news com au

Sunshine Garden Temporary Closure

Sunshine garden is closed from Monday,October 19 through 21.

The garden will reopen at 11am October 22

Sunshine Garden ist von Montag, Oktober 19 bis 21 geschlossen. 

Der Garten wird am 22. Oktober, um 11 Uhr wieder geöffnet 

2011 The Most Extreme Weather Year around the World

Disaster in Thailand

The world is experiencing one of the Most Extreme Weather Years In Decades... ...Centuries in some cases.

Droughts, heatwaves, tornadoes, flooding, blizzards, all sort of weather related disasters

 

Sakon Nakhon Weather Next week

Sunscreen is on my shopping list

Ocean water temperatures are cooling in the South China Sea.
The influence of weather  from the east is diminishing.
A shift in weather direction is likely soon

         

Nakhon Phanom Fireboat Festival Video

Video by TATnakhonphanom

Average rainfall for this area measured over the last 24 hours at Thai Meteorological Department was 3inches (75.9 mm). Measured the water level at my pond (which I had previously pumped out) at near 5 inches.
Lucky there is a dry spell were some of the water can run off, before the next rainfall.


The next mayor system approaching is Tropical Depression Banyan.
It's veering to the south, possibly creating havoc in the capitol, with minor impact locally

• Tracking map at Weather Underground

Cruised around a bit this morning to asses the local situation.

The canal at the north end of ITU was slightly above  3/4 level.

The small pond at Wat That Dum was at capacity and overflowing at the east end

A new even larger pond has formed on the temple grounds

In the village adjacent to the temple grounds, kids were looking to catch fish crossing the road.

Rice fields seemed healthy

A few spots had been flattened by the strong rains

Creek and canal water flow is rapid

Roads conditions in the villages are worsening.  Ideal conditions for stunt driver training

Road crews were out filling holes with gravel and tar. 

Where road crews had not been able to make repairs, highway warning signs had been errected

I know I shouldn't laugh at other peoples misery.
But the picture  at the link (below) just tickled my funny bones.

• Must see photo at the guardian (UK)
  
  Don't miss the whole series of photos on that page. Excellent ohotography

Nakhon Phanom Bridge OPEN

The official opening of the bridge is  on 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011).
The bridge was unofficially opened to the public during the recent Lhai Ruahfai Festival (Fire-boat festival).

The bridge is part of the Asian Highway system: Asia Highway 15 (AH15).
The highway which starts in Udon Thani , is also known as Thailand highway 22.
When completed, AH15 will traverse through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.