Reason to drink

On the way to a 5:45 PM dental appointment, Friday evening, I stopped by the cash machine.
Whenever I withdraw money I always print out a receipt and keep it in my wallet.
The ATM spit out a receipt showing a balance of 1,000 baht ($32).

There should have been a much higher balance to last for the entire month.
Panic is a mild term to describe my sentiment at the moment.  'I'd been robbed.'

I drove home, cancelled my dental appointment and poured a stiff drink.
I examined the receipt and noted two inconsistencies.  An ATM fee for an amount I had not withdrawn.  I usually do not get a fee when I use local banks.

This couldn't be my receipt.  But now I had to go to another ATM and double check my bank balance.
Great relief when I realized that my cash was still in the bank and apparently there was a printer malfunction at the previous ATM.

Reason to celebrate.
First a stop at the Welcome bar and then a visit to what used to be Eddie's bar.
I'm not a heavy drinker, I have a slight hangover this morning.

There goes my Neighborhood

Flood aftermath
Thailand Tourism was nearly decimated due to the recent floods with a few exceptions.
An all out effort is underway to return the industry to normal by February.
Thailand Tourism Authority wants to entice tourists with Value added tour packages rather than discounts.

Think it's the wrong way of doing things,  getting a free massage (Value added), instead of a discount on my hotel bill just doesn't entice me to travel.
If you look on the net, many travel agents are offering discounts on tour packages.
There's still plenty of negative media.  Areas where flood waters are receding are now hosting an increased mosquito population.


I'm not wishing for a return of the floods, but there was one matter I did appreciate about the floods.
For a few weeks there was hardly any mention of Thai politics in the news.  Now the mudslinging is back and seems stronger than ever.


Unseasonably cool temperatures this week.
Average night time temperatures for this time of the year is 16C (60.8F)

	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed
Thai Meteorological	30/15	29/16	30/17	31/18	31/20	32/21	....	32C = 89.6F
Weather Underground	25/12	28/14	27/15	28/18	29/18	29/19		30C = 86   F
Accu Weather	28/13	29/13	30/14	31/18	28/22	30/19		25C = 77   F
Meo Weather	24/13	25/15	26/16	27/18	25/19	26/19		19C = 66.2F
Weather Channel	28/16	28/15	29/16	30/16	29/16	29/16		12C = 53.6F

 My thanks to those readers who noted and wrote of their concern that I had been away from this blog a few days: "...unusual..."

The cooler than normal weather has made it's presence known in my joints and bones.  A whiplash injury of some 40 years ago decided to come out of hiding.  After a few days of above tolerable discomfort, the pain went way over the threshold  and I decided to visit the hospital last night.

I opted to go to the government hospital.  As mentioned I'd been dealing with this injury for 40 years and could  recommend the appropriate treatment:  A shot to quell the pain immediately, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants for the coming days.  I was accompanied by two Thai family members, who took care of all the administrative matters.  

Was a bit taken aback when I entered the doctors office.  At first I thought 'this must be the assistant.'  The guy didn't look older than 19.  He was the doctor alright.  I guess it's true, Asians tend to keep their youth longer.

A shot where the sun don't shine and the medicines set me back 180 Baht (US$5.83).

I'll be taking advantage of the 100 baht massages I'm offered till I recuperate.
Two or three a day should do the trick

Youth Football Sponsor

A month or so ago I attended the local youth football games.

I supported 'My team,' by buying water and sport drinks for half time.  The coach said I was their sponsor and would have my name on team jerseys next season.  He asked me for 500 baht for the printing costs.

Guess they didn't wait till next season.

Didn't expect people to be wearing my name on their bellies either.

There goes my neighborhood

Heard promises of the street leading up to my house being paved for a few years now.
Actually had given up on that some time ago.
But now there's talk of not just paving the dead end street.
The latest talk is that they are going to tear down two houses and an apartment building across the street and widening and lengthening the street.
If  there's any truth to that my residence will be on a major thoroughfare.
Next step in the discussion phase is supposedly a gathering of neighbors and planning officials.
Nothing imminent, but my brain is working overtime.  I could make 'the second house' into a....!

The Sound of Isaan Music

 Ei Like  Big Time !!!

Ideal Tourist Weather

The mannequin at the Thai Meteorological department has added a heavy winter coat to his previous sweater, an indication that a further cooling trend is headed this way.

Local nighttime temperature average for this time of the year is 16.

While locals are not used to such cool temperatures and will be seen dressed as if they are in the Arctic, tourists will appreciate the temperatures and most likely will continue to wear short sleeves.

	Mon	Tue	wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Thai Meteorological	29/18	30/17	30/17	30/18	28/16	28/16	....	32C = 89.6F
Weather Underground	31/19	31/19	30/19	30/18	29/15	26/14		30C = 86   F
Accu Weather	32/17	32/17	32/1/	32/17	29/14	28/14		25C = 77   F
Meo Weather	30/19	30/19	32/18	29/16	26/15	25/16		19C = 66.2F
Weather Channel	32/19	32/19	32/18	31/18	29/16	29/16		14C = 57.2F

  


Really GREAT Photography of the Thailand Flood at unp.me




Fun Stuff I received from friends

To see the perfect Man and Woman CLICK HERE

New Thai Watsadu store offers big discounts

The local Thai Watsadu home improvement store opened to the public yesterday promising discounts of 30 to 80% through January 15.
Read full details at THE NATION

Visit the Thai Watsadu Website here

Rayong vs Korat Football Game Brawl

Deliveries up, and so are the prices

Noted an increase of delivery trucks in the area over the last few days.

Apparently some products are now being restocked, especially cookies, crackers, candies.

No replenishment of soft drinks.  Those shelves at Big C are filled with water bottles.

Apparently some independent retailers  still have coke on hand.  There was plenty available at a recent wedding.

Egg prices have nearly doubled to 67 baht per 10 piece carton

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