Yet another Plug and Play Toy

NEVER ENDING STORY: Thailand Edition 

• Red, yellow shirts back on the streets 

Battle lines drawn as fight over Thaksin clemency looms   Bangkok Post

Is this really money well spent ???

• Thailand gets $10Mln (US) package to restore Don Mueang Airport Thailand Business News

 

The moment I decided 'this is the place...' October 18, 2002 Phu Phan Mountains

Yet another Plug and Play Toy

My laptop, camera, and mobile phone are some of the modern conveniences I can charge up and use just about anywhere.
There's another device now you can add to your plug and play collection.
Throw away your Viagra or Cialis if you have need for them.
Israeli scientists claim all you need is a bit of electricity and you're ready to go

• Israeli scientists: Solve erectile dysfunction with electric shock

Wedding Season



Off to a wedding ceremony and a luncheon shortly. I was informed of the wedding weeks ago, but didn't realize that the main party was actually the night before.

That party invite I received typically Thai, one hour before.

Really enjoyed the evening, met a number of Thais I had not seen in years.

The food was scrumptious and plentiful. 

Invention, Prevention, and Music to My Ears

Noticeable Thai Invention

Suranaree University of Technology has the patent on an

• Artificial stick emits sound waves which kill  mosquito larvae Manager 

NOK Air Flights to Sakon Nakhon  through January 2012 

Flights from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon will most likely continue using the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok through January.  New estimates indicate that repairs may well take a minimum of 60 days before Don Muang airport becomes usable again.  Damage estimates may be further altered once the field is dry enough to determine if additional repairs  are needed

  They're "thinking" flood prevention now

Why not build a canal in Bangkok, similar to the Los Angeles canals.
The L. A. canals sits dry most of the times, but when heavy rains do arrive in the area, serious flooding is prevented.
Such a plan is at least being discussed now:

•  "Thai authorities are considering the construction of a super-express waterway through Bangkok..." CNN

Of course my favorite response to Thailand's recent flooding comes from Ayutthaya, where city planners are dusting off ancient city maps and learning how their ancestors were keeping dry

• Ancient Thai capital may revert to old plan for flooding The News Tribune

Despite Floods Thailand Tourism UP

Read an article which claims October tourism numbers are up over last year.  That's not hard to believe.
Bangkok is obviously being avoided, but other destinations have seen an increase in numbers 

•  Phuket...Tourism Record

Music to my ears

From a distance it sounds like a marching band.
Closer up it sounds like a dryer tumbler filled with rocks.
It's becoming a familiar sound.  This time I'm glad so hear it in my neighborhood.  The street to my house is full of potholes.  Driving on this road has been like a ride on at an amusement park.

Sakon Sandwich and Steak House 2

The Sakon Sandwich and Steak House opened it's second restaurant at the EXPO Plaza, across the street from Big C.
The restaurant now offers 'buy three get one pita free.'



Prices at the EXPO restaurant, which offers only take out service, are less than the sit-down restaurant on ITU.

VIP Monkey? attends Phu Phan Games

A pet of one of the VIP attendees at the Phu Phan Cup games held at SakonNakhonPattanaSuska school seemed quite comfortable, but not really interested in the action on the field.
The animal was not chained and seemed very content sitting on it's owners shoulders.



Students from the school had been excused from regular classes to attend the games

In the first game Ubon beat Loei

In the second game Sakon Nakhon defeated Bueng Kan 1-0

These are not the football clubs we see during the regular season. Noticed some Sakon FC staff watching the games, obviously scouting for tallent.

I'll attempt to keep up with the scores here

Newcomer Bueng Kan, any surprises?

Weather

• Use sun protection !! 
• Chance of rain 0%.  
• Humidity will make the daytime temperatures feel much warmer than they really are, especially Friday and Saturday
• Further nighttime temperature cooling likely begining Sunday

Football 

• Phu Phan Cup Sakon Nakhon versus Bueng Kan  3 PM
  Bueng Kan is the newest province of Thailand after being split from Nong Kai Province on March 23, 2011
  As Recently as July the team started a logo competition
  Obviously a very new team. Will be interesting to see if they have any surprise in store for us


• This evening (Nov15), 6 PM  Thailand vs Australia televised on NBT

Phu Phan Cup Arrives

The crowd had gathered early awaiting to participate in the 'Pomp' marking the arrival of the Phu Phan Cup.
Traffic was halted as a police escort arrived at the 'Arc de Sakon,'
(not the real name, but it seems befitting).

2011 Phu Phan Cup Schedule in English



Think I'll be on plenty TV newscasts.
I was standing mostly at the opposite end of the cameras.

All of the cameramen took video of me while the Thai national anthem was playing.

I'm Walking

After my recent illness I had promised myself to do some exercise.  I had read that exercise does help improve the immune system.  Consciously I had put it of for a few days.
My subconscious took charge.  I lost my motorcycle key.  To make matters worse, my mobile was totally dead.  The only option I had was...

Tha Rae "Lone Football Boy (man)"

Final day of the football matches at Tha Rae

The extended trip yesterday has left me too sore to even consider attending the games.
I watched two games there yesterday and was very impressed by the professional performance of many of the players.

Did get a bit of a chuckle watching
"The Lone Ball boy (man)."
Generally there are four to eight ball boys retrieving stray balls.
At these matches there was one ball boy  racing after stray balls on his motorcycle.
He did have occasional help by a younger boy on a bicycle.
High grass surrounded the football field, making it a real challenge to find lost balls.

.

Asia Cup

A bit of a dispute erupted during the recent match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
Saudi Arabia defeated Thailand 3-0 on November 11.
The next Asia Cup qualifier game is November 15, 6 PM, when Thailand hosts Australia.





SEA (South East Asia) games
Thailand lost against Malaysia (1-2) on November 9.
Thailand won over Cambodia (4-0) in a Game on November 11.

Thailand faces Indonesia in a game this evening at 7 PM.
The game is broadcast on  Thai TV Channel 5

When nothing goes right, visit friends

"The football games start at 10 AM," so I was told
I left at 9 AM to insure I was early.  I was four hours early.
Must be something about Thai time I still don't understand?
Apparently everyone was informed of the change in starting time except 'moi.'

The football stadium in Tha Rae is right along the highway.
The stadium reminds me of the History Channel series "Life after People."
The cement structure is black from mildew, metal handrails are rusted through, and foot high grass surrounds the field. Rooms below smell of urine.

I didn't expect the games to take place there.
I asked some gentlemen sitting outside the police station for directions.
Those directions took me to a deserted school football field.

Next I asked a gathering of Baht bus drivers. "Turn right at the flashing light," they said.
I visited another deserted school play field .

Obviously I was getting nowhere
I decided to look up my Thai friend where I have a standing invitation each year for the Christmas star parade.

A quick visit to the 'field after people,' where we were advised of the 2  PM start time.
With plenty of time on my hands, I was offered a tour of the local parish grounds.
My host is the grounds keeper there.
He proudly showed off various flowers and plants.

 

With even greater pride my host showed  me the Tha Rae replica of the Madonna caves of Lourdes

There's a bit of Tha Rea history on display on the parish grounds.

The bell was donated by the French in the 1920's

You are advised to walk barefoot on the stone path to enjoy a foot massage

With the tour ended I was invited to while away some time at my host's home.
He had added a special room to his house to display his pride and joy.



"Painted by a local 19 year old," I was told

So I'm thinking of returning...

Then I see the cost of living... "NEVER MIND"

I am frequently asked if I consider returning to the U.S.
I do consider it occasionally, but then there are reasons that make me decide to stay right where I am.
Obviously local food prices have risen somewhat over the past few months, but nothing like in the U.S.
Cucumbers and carrots have become a daily part of my evening meal.
Cucumbers the size depicted in the first video sell locally for 10Baht (US$0.32)

On my way to Tha Rae

Not a Dog Festival. 

Football been happening there since last week.  Someone mentioned Coke Cup, but I'm not sure.
Today is the first day I feel well enough to make that motorcycle journey. 10 AM start time.

Sakon FC

Thanks for the heads up from Paul at the Korat FC website to the fact that the 30th Phuphan Cub gets under way November 15th.  The schedule should become available this weekend

Thai parades

With very few exceptions, traffic is uninterupted by parades in Thailand









Received in the mail
Three German shepherds  go to a British Pub