Wat Prathat Fair now open

Even though the official dates of the Fair are January 2-8, and there's still plenty of work to be done,
many of the vendors are open for business

Expect traffic congestion.

The Nine Days of New Years

A four day public holiday for the new year started Saturday, December 31, 2011.
Officially the holidays will end Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
Banks should reopen Wednesday, January 4
Holiday road checks are in place through January 5

Expect many buses to be at capacity after the holidays, as revelers prepare to return to work.

Mosquito Wars

I'm surrounded by vacant land with standing water.
Over the past week there has been a noticeable increase of mosquitoes.

For the moment I have a daily morning ritual to smoke them out from behind my water tanks.

It gets quite noisy as birds swoop in on the meal of escaping mosquitoes

Tear Jerk Theater

 Rated  

Subtitled

 

All I got for Christmas is this stupid hat

You should complain, 

how many days a year will I need a blanket in this part of the word.

Did Playdog magazine call?  I'm available !!

 

Photo's by Joey during his 'what to entertain myself moments'

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.