2011 Record breaking weather disasters... More to come

"It warmed up really quickly."

A few comments like that yesterday:
In fact a few people wondered if the pool was ready.  I hope they were joking.
For the moment daytime temperatures should continue to heat up just a bit more, in the evenings you can turn off the fan.  Evenings will remain cool to moderate.
Extended temperatures are still on a roller coaster ride.  Cooler weather ahead, but not like the Christmas weather.

Don't ya just love Thai wording

Those roadside checkpoints, checking your license, insurance, and sobriety... they're called road assistance centers.  That's some assistance I'll try to avoid

Record breaking weather disasters... More to come

The news clip below describes some record breaking disasters this year.
This announcer forecasts:  "...2012 will start off where 2011 left off."

2011 was a good year for me, judging from my photo Album

192 photo opportunities in 365 days, over 8,500 picture memories.
Did plenty of traveling, attended many family celebrations, sporting events, fairs.
Got together with many friends and made plenty new acquaintances.

Resolutions for 2012

Keep on living and "enjoy."

Don't miss this superb collection of Thailand pictures

• Out and About Thailand  buadhai blog

Parade High Season

Two day sport day event.

Viewed five parades this month.
 There were more, but like today with simultaneous parades, I obviously have to miss out on some.

Caution!! Holiday Mayhem Ahead!!

With the New Year approaching, expect roadside driver inspection stations to be set up throughout the province. Some of these roadside stations will be equipped with breathalyzers

Not for Squeamish
Locally produced News VDO
Reasons to wear helmets when riding a motorcycle

 

The video below is less graphic, yet very eye opening if you are not familiar with Thai traffic.
I recommend you read the article which accompanies the video at channel4

Have a Safe and Sane New Year

Yesterday's News

• Thailand exports to China account for 11 percent of exports
• Thai government gets poor rating for honesty
• Huge Waves Continue Battering Thailand's Southern Coast
• Thai Government Launches One District, One Scholarship Programme
• Thailand's tsunami alert system broken: tourists at risk at Thai beach resorts
• 2011 Most watched Commercial on the Net
• "... Chinese mattresses are 30-40% cheaper. But their quality is another story...

Happy holidays

Lesser Crime and Punishment

Many Years ago... 2007, if you want to be exact
"A young man" in his late teens, did something foolish... The cops came... 
...Court date in thirty days... Postponed twice... Three months later: The verdict

• Six months as a novice

The charges were severe enough to warrant jail time,  I was pleasantly surprised to discover one of Thailand's Crime and Punishment alternatives (for Thai Nationals only)

• Rehabilitation Temple Time

I visited twice as a friend of the family.
It's a long drive to the temple grounds right there there where civilization seems to end

 Past where the Thai Buffalo roam

Where the jungle begins.

Simple Life is mandated

Getting along with your neighbors takes on a whole new meaning

Visiting Hours are very restricted, 
only gifts  for grounds maintenance allowed

Were you renew contact with nature

A place for worship and reverence

A curriculum of Order, Discipline, Spirituality were quite evident

That was years ago.  
The story has a happy ending.  
"A young man' has since served honorably in the military and is these days a mature family man.

My Christmas Past and Present

When I grew up, he wasn't called Santa.  His name was then Saint Nick.
He had a sack full of  toys,  new clothes, plenty new socks, for those who BEHAVED.

Saint Nick had a servant accompanying him.
That was Ruprecht.
A hunched over fellow, with a sack of coals over his shoulders, very Grinch like personality.

Kids who didn't BEHAVE received coal instead of Santa's gifts.
Ruprecht carried a broom made of twigs, with which he gave you a rear end education in BEHAVE !!!




Yes I met the Grinch 

My uncle Joseph gave me this huge wrapped box.

My uncle Joesph was a prankster by heart

I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box... and so on...

Each time I opened a new box, there was that moment of anticipated excitement.

When the room was cluttered with empty boxes and wrapping paper ...
... I held a bag of roasted chestnuts like a trophy.
Sheet yeah !! I was disappointed as hell at the moment.





Christmas Present

Christmas Eve: Dinner with friends

Dec 25 Christmas Day

I had dozed off in front of the TV.

Santa stopped by after work to bring me a bottle of Sangsom muscle relaxant (rum) and a handwritten note

Sakon Nakhon Camera Events Ahead

Upcoming Events

That Choeng Chum Fair January 2 - 8 Free Nightly Concerts	Parades	Chinese New Years January 23 - 25	Red Cross Fair

January 14:  National Children Day  
January 16:  National Teachers Day

Parade Thursday!  I think!

Usually don't get advance notice to many of the parades.
Someone happened  to mention there's another parade coming up.

"Parade on Tuesday."
"You mean tomorrow?"
"No, Thursday."

Starts at  Phra That Choeng Chum and comes down I.T.U. 

New Years Celebrations

Of course I wish everyone a happy New Year.  ENJOY and be safe.
I'll probably do what I've been doing in past years:  Celebrate within staggering distance of my mattress.   

As usual I'll bring some cash so all my friends can trot over to the fireworks stands.

Hot Season Prelude?

Most weather services are predicting a slow warming period, with highs possibly reaching 30C next week.
Accuweather is the oddball, forcasting feels like temperatures at 37C (99F).

VDOs of this year's Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade

Sakon Nakhon Chilly Nights

Sakon Nakhon's coldest Christmas in recent memory

I've experienced eight Christmases in Thailand, this is the coldest in my memory.
A few more cool days with a slow warming trend
By this weekend we should see daytime highs in the low 30C (Mid 80F).

Tha Rae Christmas Star Parade, Christmas Eve

Photographs

• Celebrating Christmas in Thailand By Richard Barrow at thai-blogs

You Tube
                         

High waves ravage S. Thailand, thousand affected, tourists marooned
xinhuanet




Images of this years floods in Thailand