My flu like symptoms continue

Food Shortages Noted

Tom at Isaan Life reports of some shortages at the Khon Kaen Big C.
Worth taking a look at.  His report includes some revealing pictures.

Stocking up was a no-brainer some weeks ago, when they first mentioned the floods are coming.
I bought a 45 day supply of some  items I knew I just could not do without.
First time I ever bought a whole case of MAMA noodles.
It's interesting to note by the empty grocery shelves what the fast selling items are.

Potatoes and apples are apparently not on that list.



Local Provincial Youth Games

The Provincial Youth Games continue here in Muang Sakon Nakhon. Football, boxing, the Thai version of lawn bowling and many other sports are part of the events.
I've only attended one event. My flu like symptoms continue to zap me of energy.
Do plan to attend a Sakon Nakhon football game this afternoon.

Did watch the Mahasarakham girls defeat Korat last Saturday.  Both teams really impressed me.  There were moment when I wondered if these were really girls teams.



Thailand vs Australia Game 2

The game is scheduled for October 15.  Because of the Bangkok floods they are considering moving the game.
Chiang Mai is an alternative under consideration. Bangkok stadiums not inundated, are being used as refugee camps.  If the game does take place in Chiang Mai, they may well be faced with unseasonable cold temperatures.
Personally I wish they would not move the game.  Having the game in Bangkok at this time would be an immense morale booster for Thais.
In game one played in Australia, the hosts won 2-1.

Before the Australia game Thailand plays in Saudi Arabia on November 11. (11.11.11)


Nakhon Phanom Friendship Bridge Dedication Ceremony
is on November 11 (11.11.11)


I did recently mention that the parade season has begun.
DIRTY OLD MAN ALERT: You may be interested in other videos by this uploader. I won't post them on this blog as it IS NOT AN ADULT CONTENT BLOG.  You can find the links of interest at the end of the video

Happy Halloween

It's all downhill now

If strategic dams continue to 'hold,' the worst is over.  Now it's a matter of waiting for the water to run it's course.  Probably some weeks, followed by a lengthy reconstruction period.

It's going to be interesting to watch  how that unfolds.
Will they rebuild like it was before, or consider modifications to avoid such catastrophes in the future?
Will graft flourish?

Local Food supply
While major chain stores are having problems restocking their shelves, local markets and street vendors seem to be benefiting with increased business.



Recommend you turn down you volume on this video!! (Helicopter sounds)





English subtitles


Video cams of Bangkok streets under water
Bangkok CCTV 487  Bangkok CCTV 473


Or you can find a complete list of all Bangkok CCTV here

Rainy Season ended, Parade Season started

Immigration Horror Story

Occasionally I hear of horror stories some folks have experienced in dealing with Thai Immigration Services.
I tend to believe that the majority of these horror stories are not caused by immigration officials, rather by the traveler.

Was  at the Sakon Nakhon Immigration office.  The agent assisting me, very politely apologized for keeping me waiting.

He was asked by another agent to assist explaining to a customer why he had to return to the border after having just come from there.

I pretty much got the gist of the conversation.
The gentleman probably too much in a hurry, apparently did not understand border crossing procedure and did not legally enter the country.

He was given a departure card upon reentering Thailand.  He needed to fill out this card and return to the agent to complete the entry process.  Instead he took the blank departure card and left.

The departure card in his possession was both blank and not stamped.
Of course, rather than admitting to his mistake, the gentleman was furious at Thai immigration procedures and declared he had his fill of this country.

Even if he decides to leave the country at his earliest convenience, I'd strongly suggest he first return to the entry point where he came from and correct the entry.  Otherwise he can expect further hassles when attempting to depart with a blank departure card.

Bangkok Floods: Natural or Man Made Disaster

Just wondering: Do they have water taxis waiting at the Bangkok Airport?

• Kidding aside.  Many people expect the Thai currency to weaken because of this disaster. That may well just be wishful thinking.  As a comparison consider the natural disaster in Japan.  It did nothing to weaken their currency, in fact it got stronger..

• Word in the media is that all this flooding is not really a natural disaster, but the result of man made stupidity.  Supposedly a decision was made to not release water from dams to insure sufficient water for farming.  When the heavy rains did arrive, water from the dams had to be released in large volumes to avoid bursting of the dams.
  This is really just speculation, but the decision definitely was at least a contributing factor.
  
  
• Many empty shelves at the local market, but surprisingly there was a limited amount of milk on the shelves.  Also plenty of potatoes, carrots, and onions, most likely from regional sources.

• Sakon YFC vs Burirum YFC Saturday 10 a.m. at the football field on ITU


• Cooling temperatures for the next few nights, then things should turn back to NORMAL, with plenty of humidity in the daily forcasts.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is open for all domestic and international flights

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NOK AIR domestic flights resumed Friday 

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BBC has a very revealing satellite photo of Bangkok

A message to my Friends in Bangkok

by Iron Maiden
RUN TO THE HILLS

Possibly the worst weekend ahead for Bangkok: 28-31 October.

Incoming ocean currents will create a dam for water draining from the north.

MSNBC: Thai capital warned "massive" water on the way
is a very revealing article with some good information.

According to the article Bangkok is  "...a city that accounts for 41% of Thailand's gross domestic product.."

Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday

*

• Weather alert: Cooling trend, expect temperatures to drop to 18C (64.4) over the coming days. 

•   A health alert: has been issued in association with the cooling weather.

•   Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday: Thurs, Oct 27 - Mon Oct 31 , in 21 Provinces

• Chao Phraya on the brink  Bangkok Post >>plenty photos<<

• WANTED: Crocodile Hunters in and around Bangkok  New York Times

*

That health alert arrived a bit late for me, 
Recuperating from a cold:

I should have seen it coming.
I sleep under a fan, not only to keep cool, but also to avoid mosquito bites while sleeping.
Days had been hot and humid. Late evenings had been pleasantly cool, after midnight it got a bit too chilly under the fan.

First a chest infection. I was coughing so hard, at times I was close to passing out.

I've learned from experience when it gets that bad to head for the couch. Passing out and hitting your head on the tiled cement floor leaves lasting memories (headaches).

I tried a home remedy of jasmine tea, honey, cinnamon, licorice. Surprisingly reduced the coughing and chest pains by the following day. There was a tsunami coming out of my sinus. Used a box of tissues in eight hours. Needless to say I spent three days mostly prone.

Except last night when I had visitors!

And the winner is undefeated Yothasing

Team Yothasing finished the season undefeated, winning every game.
Unfortunately I did not attend the final game due to chest and nasal infection.
I did however support the team, as usual with refreshments.
This time the team celebrated their victory at the local all you can eat restaurant.

Thought football season is over for a while.
In a way I was correct.  The provincial games are completed.
The Inter-Provincial games start tomorrow.
My soi (alley) was invaded by a team from Buriram.
The team will be staying in the apartment building across the street from my house.

The games are being played at the university campus, some miles away, an indication that apartments and hotels in the area seemed to be full