Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sakon Nakhon Beef and OTOP Festival
The annual Sakon Nakhon Beef and OTOP festival is now in progress at the Municipal field (Across the street from the Police station and Immigration office).
Nong Khai is the 2011 Phu Phan Cup winner
Plenty of pomp prior to the final Phu Phan Cup game. It was almost as if this was a military event rather than a sporting event. With provincial officials fromSakon Nakhon and Nong Kha in attendance there was plenty of security. I'd guess a good 20% of the spectators were military, police and security forces.
It was obvious to me from the start that Nong Khai was the better team. The Nong Khai team seemed to have control of the ball most of the first half. The Sakon Team did have a few near misses, real groaners.
The Sakon team performed much better during the second half. Almost felt like they had a good chance at pulling it off.
I've seen it before at football games, a bit of 'Keystone Comedy.' The steps to the scoreboard where high enough to change the lower parts of the scoreboard. To reach the upper part of the numbers the scorekeeper had to do some acrobatics
The half time show was a typical Isaan show. Sure it was great, but I've seen the same routine year after year, nothing really new and exciting.
The venue, the college football field isn't the best in town for spectator seating. The bleachers were entirely reserved for students. Not that I envied them. They get the afternoon sun directly into their faces.
Most of the general seating is on the lawn. I moved twice due to ant attacks.
Of course the best seats, cushioned and protected from the sun were reserved for dignitaries.
Apparently there were spectators from near and far, including some fans from Ayutthaya
Toward the end of the game they were setting up for the fireworks (for which I did not stick around).
At least this year they did not set up the fireworks in the parking lot amid parked vehicles, as I had noted in past years
The Sakon team performed much better during the second half. Almost felt like they had a good chance at pulling it off.
I've seen it before at football games, a bit of 'Keystone Comedy.' The steps to the scoreboard where high enough to change the lower parts of the scoreboard. To reach the upper part of the numbers the scorekeeper had to do some acrobatics
The half time show was a typical Isaan show. Sure it was great, but I've seen the same routine year after year, nothing really new and exciting.
The venue, the college football field isn't the best in town for spectator seating. The bleachers were entirely reserved for students. Not that I envied them. They get the afternoon sun directly into their faces.
Most of the general seating is on the lawn. I moved twice due to ant attacks.
Of course the best seats, cushioned and protected from the sun were reserved for dignitaries.
Apparently there were spectators from near and far, including some fans from Ayutthaya
Toward the end of the game they were setting up for the fireworks (for which I did not stick around).
At least this year they did not set up the fireworks in the parking lot amid parked vehicles, as I had noted in past years
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Phu Phan Cup Finale
Sakon Nakhon will face Nong Khai in the final game of the Phu Phan Cup, this Friday, 3 PM, at Rajabhat University.
Sakon Nakhon beat Khon Kaen yesterday (Wednesday) 6 -1.
Khon Kean will face Kalasin today at 3 pm, at Rajabhat University, to determine the third place winner.
Unable to confirm, but have heard that the game will be televised, possibly on Channel 11 (ASTV), available on the net.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Recuperating mode
One thing very obvious to me about aging is the fact that party mode is shortened to a few hours.
After that it takes one or two days to recover.
Big family dinner the night before the wedding. Of course that also meant my glass was never allowed to empty. It was the first time I appreciated the fact that Thais add a ton of ice to their beer. After drinking two pitchers of watered down beer ( and a couple of cans), I walked home sober as a judge.
Morning of the wedding festivities was a different story. The moment I arrived I was handed a double shot of bourbon on the rocks. My glass was constantly under surveillance to insure I wasn't running on empty.
I tried abandoning my glass. That didn't work. The lost and found teams always made sure that I wasn't without a drink.
The only excuse I had not holding a glass was "taking photographs." I took 350 pictures.
Later that afternoon I received an invitation for a private family dinner. I had to decline, I was old age exhausted.
The following day I also declined watching a Phu Phan Cup Game. I had not yet sufficiently recovered.
Instead I relied on telephone updates. Sakon beat Mukdahan 2-1.
With plenty of rest and gallons of water, I'm recovered enough to spend this morning teaching.
After that it takes one or two days to recover.
Big family dinner the night before the wedding. Of course that also meant my glass was never allowed to empty. It was the first time I appreciated the fact that Thais add a ton of ice to their beer. After drinking two pitchers of watered down beer ( and a couple of cans), I walked home sober as a judge.
Morning of the wedding festivities was a different story. The moment I arrived I was handed a double shot of bourbon on the rocks. My glass was constantly under surveillance to insure I wasn't running on empty.
I tried abandoning my glass. That didn't work. The lost and found teams always made sure that I wasn't without a drink.
The only excuse I had not holding a glass was "taking photographs." I took 350 pictures.
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Click on the picture to view the wedding album
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Later that afternoon I received an invitation for a private family dinner. I had to decline, I was old age exhausted.
The following day I also declined watching a Phu Phan Cup Game. I had not yet sufficiently recovered.
Instead I relied on telephone updates. Sakon beat Mukdahan 2-1.
With plenty of rest and gallons of water, I'm recovered enough to spend this morning teaching.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Clean-up starts now, no end in sight
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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
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| 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
Wedding Season
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.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Invention, Prevention, and Music to My Ears
Noticeable Thai Invention
Suranaree University of Technology has the patent on an
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:
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
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
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.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
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.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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
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
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