Thailand Brand Name

First day back at school.  I teach English twice a week.
Didn't expect much on the first Monday in the new year.  Only two students had their textbooks.
Half the class hadn't recovered from the week long New Years celebrations.

A girl was texting on her mobile.  She tried to hide her phone when I approached her.
I asked her what the brand name was.
Blank looks from the entire class.
I explained 'brand names.'
She replied i-Phone.
I looked at her phone and questioned: "Copy?" She nodded in agreement.

Later, reviewing the hour's lessons, I again asked the class to name a brand name.
Almost in unison the class answered "COPY."

Sometimes lessons don't have the expected results


What did they expect?

Had the highest number of visitors to my blog yesterday after publishing the headline announcing the January 26 concert  "Big Ass - Body Slam in Sakon Nakhon"
Most likely a few disappointed visitors.  Probably even a few censors.


Two concerts on January 26. One at Ming Muang, the other at the Red Cross Fair.
Will be interesting to see if this town can support two concert events on the same day.

Most likely plenty out of town traffic 

Sakon Nakhon Red Cross Fair Concert Schedule

January 20 through 29
  click on the names for sample music available on You Tube

Pongsit Kumpee	Pee Saderd	Mithai
Labanoon	Kala	Heavy Magic Arts
Bank Clash	Mild	Laolom Infamous
Silly Fools Airborne

Big Ass - Body Slam in Sakon Nakhon

January 26   
Ming Muang Grounds (next to the Police station) 
Tickets Bt 100

  

Cold weather boosts local water heater sales

Sakon Nakhon 

Extended cold season results in increased sales of Water heaters,   with discounts offered on price and installation  source manager (ASTV)

2012 New Years drunk driving accidents down 29% from previous year. 
  2011 51,  2012 36 
  source ryt9

It's sure to be a winner at the boxoffice

Dad's frantic Thai search for son to be made into a Hollywood film
  Read the story at birminghammail.net

Humorous Thai Advertising

Big Crowds on the final Day of the Temple Fair

I was intent on going to the fair and buy a bag of roasted chestnuts.
Approached the temple from the lake front, as there was quite less traffic and plenty of parking along the lake front.

The stage for nightly performances had been set up behind the temple, closing off a road and a parking lot

Performers apparently live in these buses

The fair and grounds where quite crowded

Sunday worshipers paid their respect to their lord

After purchasing roasted chestnuts at the fair I passed by the waterfront park and was surprised by the entrance I had not seen before.
Cement tree stumps, probably created for the recent flora show.

My Opinion: UGLY !!

Just inside the park entrance are these plastic letters They've been used as background for many family photographs.

My Opinion: Gaudy !!

 

January is high season on my wallet

There's a long list of birthday celebrations this month. Presents to give!!
I mostly enjoy those get-togethers.
This month there are a number of birthdays in my large adopted Thai family.
They expect more than a cake and a handshake from me.
Started off with a double header birthday dinner last night (twins=two presents).

The restaurant sign was deceiving.
I had hoped for a steak dinner.
Turned out it was another "all you can eat" restaurant.

I'm not a great fan of these types of restaurants,  the food is always the same.
I get better Thai home cooking.

My favorite friends and family night out comes at the end of the month.

6 AM, Jan 9

Cool night time temperatures will be with us for a couple more days.
Clouds moving in Wednesday will keep the night time temperatures at a more pleasant 18 to 19C.

Occasional scattered showers after Wednesday (20%)
Increased rain chance this weekend.
Daytime temperatures will remain below 29C for the rest of the week.




Question:

How come we haven't seen you in quite a while?

Short Answer:

Things happen at my house when I'm not there

Detailed answer:

I had hoped postponing pool cleaning till the rains start.  Free water.
That hope was shattered last Thursday when the temperatures were at a balmy 31.
I was out socializing with "Doctor LEO" and his friends, when I was informed that my pool had been invaded.
I casually rushed home and found the pool almost empty.
"SOMEONE" had turned on the pump thinking they were filtering the pool water, when instead the pump had been set to empty the pool.
Of course sine the pool water had not been cleaned in over a month,  all swimmers had to take a hot soapy shower as a precaution.

Caution advised when using ATM

The details of this Sakon Nakhon event are unconfirmed, but I consider the source very reliable.

A western gentleman was in the process of withdrawing Bt20,000 from the ATM.
He did notice two men behind him, possibly waiting their turn to use the machine.

One of the men engaged the westerner in a conversation, obviously distracting him from his transaction.
By the time he turned his attention back to the ATM, the transaction was complete, and the cash was gone.

As anywhere in the world, whenever you use an ATM, be aware of your surroundings and be alert.
If you notice people suspiciously lingering in the area, go to another ATM
Avoid being distracted, the ATM is not a location to meet and make new friends.

Sakon Nakhon Chinese New Years Celebrations AHEAD

..

My favorite
Sakon Nakhon public event

Chinese New Year

January 23 

Year of the dragon

New Year Dates

Jan 23 to Feb 10

2011 celebrations pictured




And of course a parade

Sakon Nakhon "Most Popular" videos

Most viewed You Tube search result  for สกลนคร

4,881,877 views                                                                4,140,365 views