Win or loose, I'm celebrating

2012 Sakon F.C. schedule translated The page link can be found at the top (right) of this blog. The first game of the Season, next weekend, February 18, will be in Nong Khai.  The day also happens to be the nine year anniversary of my arrival in Sakon Nakhon. Win or loose, I'll be celebrating.   Air Asia flights to Nakhon Phanom begin February 15 The Nakhon Phanom Airport is approximately 80 km, (one hour drive) from Sakon Nakhon.   The recent Sakon Nakhon Winter season... ... seemed to have started a month earlier than usual (mid-November).  This year the winter temperatures were warmer than last year.  Last year's lows dropped below 9 (7 in the mountains). This year's lows remained in the mid teens.  Average high temperatures for January 2011 were 30C. January 2012 average high temperatures were 32. Source: kwiqly Cool nights continue. By midweek feels like temperatures 37 -38C

Best Party in Town

One of my most favorite Sakon Nakhon events is happening Friday, February 10, at the local Chinese temple, and I've been invited to attend. It's part of the Chinese New Years Celebrations, which most often last a month. An evening of fine dining and entertainment I've come to relish.

Teaching English Updated

I've noticed a trend at school. More and more kids are bringing their phones to class. Most schools are offering free wireless internet, and many students are taking advantage by surfing the net, checking e-mail, watching videos or playing on-line games in the classroom. It's a trend which will only get worse when the government starts handing out free 'Pads.' . With only weeks left in the semester, most students have 'misplaced' their text books. Time to come up with new innovative teaching techniques to regain the students attention. . A couple of sayings come to mind: "Fight fire with fire," "If you can't beat them, join them." This video is a prime example.  I had everyone's attention. After the video ended I replayed it and froze it at intervals to discuss event's and objects on the screen. The discussion went from smell, cookie jar, refrigerator, broom, sweeping, to chainsaw and parachuting. Surprisingly most of the class were taking notes. Of course, the fact that I had a supply of cookies on my desk also helped keep their interest.  Class ended with everyone snacking.

Hot Season begins now

Hot Season = Drought and Fire Hazard Climate Change or Thailand's Curse? After Flooding: "Drought" Thailand Business News  Feb 6 Sakon Lieutenant Governor warns of increased fire Hazard Sakon Daily on facebook     See Sakon Nakhon by Air       Bird Paradise Extreme Resort known for its Skydiving adventures also offers 'Sky Tours.'     A one hour flight in a Cessna is advertised at Bt4,950       thailema    Thailand's capital should be moved to the north-east,    says top scientist        Asia One Feb 5

Introducing "Princess"

Monday, Feb 6

Now that's what I call parking

Fallen off the fence and I'm not getting back on

I was a bit on the fence in regard to the dog eating dispute. My attitude had been:  "Let them eat dog!" It's been done for centuries.  In western culture it was still very prevalent after World War 2. In Thailand it's a minority cultural habit that's hard to break. Someone compared it to the alcohol prohibition in the U.S. "Once they've had a taste and they liked it, it's hard to enforce a prohibition. Add to that the fact that it's done in all surrounding countries. Fact is many Asian countries consider the dog just another farm animal along chickens and pigs. What kept me sitting on the fence so long was the massive amount of soi dogs. Dog fights awaken me at all hours of the night. No one owns these nuisance dogs.  But it's part of Thai culture to feed stray dogs. Dogs tend to hang around were they know they are going to get fed. To solve the problem of dog population they would have to have a spay and neuter campaign of national proportions. I don't see that in the Thai budget anytime soon. The recent government crackdown has put some dog farmers out of business. Others have simply disappeared off the landscape. They are still there, just not visible.  They'll be around as long as there is money to be made across the border and no better income alternatives are offered. What made me fall off the fence was the cruelty and mistreatment used in the business. Video by MrSmithPNS

Alvin Gone GIRLCRAZY

A young lady squirrel has moved in. Alvin is literally climbing the walls and running in circles in excitement. No afternoon nap today!!  The much younger lady squirrel neighbor seems to have no immediate interest in Alvin. After all she just spent the night on the bus getting here. She's famished and tired.  Besides that, she's half his age, courtship is probably months away. She's been attacking my camera, no pictures yet!!  Two hours later:  They seem to be checking each other out between cages. I wonder if they know?  Valentine Day is next Tuesday!

SNO Live Blog Page Visits  Visitor count by Google From experience of using other counters:  Google is under counting  by as much as 1,000 per month 2007 and 2008 before the blog, the Sakon Nakhon Live Website had a total of 4,000 visitors each year Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Most searched 2009 794 1,319 1,308 1,139 1,336 1,147 1,448 1,553 1,578 2,050 2,760 3,599 Dining+Drinking 2010 2,741 2,151 2,736 3,366 2,935 2,827 3,096 2,841 2,519 3,168 3,118 3,423 Welcome Bar 2011 3,750 3,005 3,274 3,383 2,943 2,853 3,003 3,408 2,751 3,512 2,650 3,360 Escape Bar 2012 4,005 * * * * * * * * * * * Immigration

Resting Again Due to a recent string of stressful events and 'unpreparedness,"  I am again recuperating from head, shoulder and upper back aches.  Hot pads, industrial strength Thai massages by Joey, plenty fluids (refill please) and rest. These are alternate measures to more appropriate Chiropractic treatment available in Bangkok.  (Transportation,4day stay + treatment = Bt20,000)  I was too much in a hurry to follow my own advice: Have a cocktail or two before applying to a Visa extention (Year ten starts now!) The staff at Sakon Nakhon Immigration where professional and polite!!!! My stress was self induced. Cheers!!!

Furniture warehouse fire

• Huai Yang furniture warehouse fire causes  Bt1.5 Million damage  (US$33,000)
  
  http://myheartmusic.fix.gs/index.php?topic=2926
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Football season starts February 18
  
   Sakon FC at Nong Khai FC

• TIME BOMB Thailand's THB1.1 Trillion Asian Contagion Bad Debt 
  
  The Phuket Insider

• Israel Braces for Potential Attack From Iran
  
  ABC on YouTube

Football teams gearing up for a new season

Thai Division 2 League North Eastern Region

is having a lottery today to decide which team plays which team.
The result and schedule should be available within a day or two.

Local weather is now approaching from the south

bringing with it increased temperatures.  If this is the beginning of the hot season, it's definitely early, and could indicate that the rainy season will also start earlier than usual.

Thailand May Lose Top Rice Exporter Title - Southeast Asia Real Time - WSJ


Rising rice prices create rough waters for Thai river barges   Monsters & Critics

• "...over the past two months, Thai rice exports have dropped more than 50%..."  

Mutant Catfish in Khorat waters  ASTV (via Google Translate) includes Photos


Don Mueang Airport to resume operations on 6 March - Thailand News


Fighting For His Life After Disputing Decorating Bill Andrew Drummond