Sakon Nakhon

Friday, October 21, 2011

Local reports of some concern
are from Manager Online (ASTV)

Their news item notes that produce prices have doubled in many cases at local markets.

Produce are also being monitored for toxins which may have leeched into recently harvested vegetables.
Note to self: buy frozen and canned goods

US Embassy US Citizens Services

Maps
Storing Your Vehicle During the Flood
Basic Emergency Preparedness Recommendations
Helpful Health Tips .... in a Soggy Situation
Flood Clean Up Information

Flood Information

Flood Information on Facebook

Estimates: Less than 1% of households have flood insurance in Thailand

Death toll grows in floods across Latin America Herald Sun

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Prepare for Winter Like Weather

Cold weather arriving from the North West is expected to drop night time temperatures to the mid teens (Celsius) in Northern Thailand. Siam Daily News

Cold temperatures will impact the local area later next week.

Thailand Meteorological Department Weather Map (click on 25 frame animation)

OK... OK... I'm a believer now. Just a few weeks ago someone told me "this year we are going to experience a colder than normal cool season."

Trivia:
Thailand's coldest night on record was -1.4C (29.5F) in Sakon Nakhon, 1974.
In 2009 temperatures dropped to 4.2 (39.5F) around Nakhon Phanom. That year Bangkok experienced 14.7C (58.1F) temperatures

ASTV off the Air

Is Thailand's Yellow Shirt Leader Broke?

The Irrawaddy- October 20

ASTV satellite broadcast cut due to debts

Bangkok Post - October 19

Watch ASTV on the net

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Some produce in short supply

It's especially obvious in the fresh produce section.

Noticed a few days ago that some produce were out of stock.

Instead of keeping shelves empty at one store, shelves were filled with onions, an item apparently not yet in short supply.

This afternoon I was able to buy the last two kilo of potatoes at the local night market.

Not certain if gasoline will be in short supply locally. The refineries are outside the flood areas.

Thai Soldiers Rush to Reinforce Bangkok Flood Walls

Voice of America - Oct 18

Shortage shutters eateries

Bangkok Post - Oct 17

Another win for he Yothasing team 5-1

This visitor is quite a Flasher

Prelude to the cool season

The weather man at the Thai meteorological department has put on a sweater.
Night time temperatures in the low 20C, dipping below 20C in some areas.
Up to 10 km wind gusts from East - Northeast.
Now is the perfect time to plant vegetables which generally do not survive in the tropical heat and rain periods.

Disco Dan is is quite a 'FLASHER.'

New temporary house guest arrived early last night. Nicknamed Disco D.
He is quite a 'FLASHER.' He puts on quite a show. I really love the all night free show.
He wears a flashing light on his rear end for special effects. Quite some interesting and provocative moves.
I'd like to applaud the show, but I dare not. I might squash the firefly Disco D.

Inflation in Thailand's future?

The increase of the minimum wage will in the end not benefit the average Thai wage earner.
Businesses will not absorb those additional costs, instead they will raise their prices to stay profitable.

Add to that the shortages of goods due to the flood.
Prices will increase on everything, it's inevitable. It's already started!!

It's not a lack of modern equipment

Lack of new equipment was the explanation given by the Meteorological Department, for not alerting the nation ahead of the severity of the flood disaster.
Reminds me a bit of an alcoholic making excuses for his/her continued drinking.
Alcoholics first have to recognize and then admit the problem.
The Meteorological Department's problem is not antiquated equipment.
The problem is educated and trained personnel.

I've only had one college course in weather phenomenon. Yet, I have been able to alert my local readers of changing weather conditions with fair accuracy. Frequently my alerts were days ahead of the Meteorological Department, using information from their website

Changwat (province) Sakon Nakhon 2552 (2009)

Loi Krathong November 10

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sakon Youth FC

Football again. This time it's the youth league.
The Yothasing team is made up of kids from my neighborhood. I was invited to watch them play.
I've learned quite while ago that there are some strings attached. I bought the water and softdrinks for the team.

Most obvious thing was they played a lot better than most adult players I've recently seen.

Not only was the game faster and better action, but the refereeing was also a lot better.
My buying refreshments made me the sponsor for the day.
At the end of the game, the losers, the opposing team bowed before me.

Next week the Yothasing team will be wearing patches with my name on their shirts.
The fun didn't end at the football field.
The team arrived at my house for a BBQ, games and swimming.
Me, I'm having homegrown fresh coconut juice and rum.
Only my home bar seems to offer my favorite drink

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.