Countdown to the Thai New Year

Sakon Nakhon Songkran schedule of events   April 13 14 15 16 (substitution day) 17 (? substitution day) The high season is over,  its becoming noticeable at major tourist destinations. Thais are ready for their trip home to spend time with family and friends. Any day now an announcement will be made in the media, that  "Extra buses" are being pressed into service departing from Bangkok.  Bus fares/schedules on line The Mass Exodus may get a few days head start because of the National Royal Funeral Rites,  8-10 April I've already noticed that domestic airline tickets seem to be a bit higher over these holidays.   One of the reasons I have no travel plans. Of course my favorite part of the holidays: I get to see folks I had not seen since last year's festivities.  Rekindling old friendships, some dating back ten years. There will be plenty to see and do here, food fair, parade, temple events...

Sakon Nakhon Youth Football Season starts

.. Mister Hans  Youth Football Club  wins opener 3-0 I had nothing to do with the renaming of the team. Actually wish they would not have named it after me. A local announcer was doing a broadcast over the intercom system. He mentioned team names nonstop. I was somewhat embarrassed that my name popped up over the loudspeakers at least once every two minutes. Would have preferred LIVE Y.F.C. Next Game 13:00 hrs, April 3

Sakon Nakhon Songkran schedule of events

Mobile Museum at Sakon Nakhon Ming Muang Field

Mobile Museum is in Town at the Ming Muang field (across the street from the police station). I happen to spot it just as they apparently had opening  or dedication ceremonies.

Typhoon Pakhar looses energy downgraded to tropical storm. The storm has made a right turn (east), making way for a weather system arriving from the southwest. Any way you look at it: rain for the holidays.

You can't make this stuff up

Sakon Nakhon Sound and Light Show  October 2003 The first formal invitation I received in  Sakon Nakhon was to the Sound and Light Show in October, 2003. Three chairs were reserved for me in the front row. I was told the chairs had been labeled with my name. This is the actual sign.  No I did not make this up!!!

Pakhar tracking at Wunderground

Tropical Storm upgraded to Typhoon Pakhar

29 March:   Upgraded  from Tropical Storm 02w to Typhoon  Pakhar  30 March:   globaldisasterwatch.blogspot " ...12 inches rainfall possible in the storm path"  31 March:   Thai Meteorological Department Weather Warning "...thunderstorm with gust and 3-5°C temperature drop in the Northeast..."  Updated tracking maps     wunderground weather.com Thai Meteorological Department Forecast tracking map wunderground 5 day tracking hurricanezone.net

4:25 AM,  31 March Almost the Doughnut effect noticeable frequently over Mueang (City) Sakon Nakhon.

Nong Han Monster?

Naga Sighted on Nong Han lake Thai media identify the object as a Naga. Naga is a deity found in Hinduism and Buddhism. Nag is the Hindi term for Cobra. From the video it's hard to determine if the object is indeed an animal or other object. I'm a bit skeptical, especially since "Fools Day" is this Sunday.

Tropical Storm "Pakhar' Moving inland That storm in the South China Sea, which I first mentioned March 22, Sakon Nakhon alert: Batten down the hatches, has intensified and is now moving inland.  Pakhar is expected to reach Vietnam with 129 km (80 mph) winds. The storm is moving extremely slow creating a potential for flooding. Tropical storms at this time of the year in this area are quite unusual. At the moment the local weather system is moving in a north-easterly direction with local cloudy conditions over the weekend The local forecast at accuweather calls for thunderstorms and rain from 4 April through 15 April.

Beware of flying lawnmowers

This morning 9 AM Parade.  Looks like some sort of Sport day

Yesterday afternoon: Sounded like an overhead lawn mower flying along ITU and circling the Sakol Grand Palace hotel. Don't know what the occasion for the flyover was this time. Last time, some years ago, it was a car dealership promotion.

Flood-struck Thailand braces for wet season - Al Jazeera  Daring double game in Thailand - Asia Times Online Japanese wary of flood prevention - Bangkok Post

Funny Mail

Native English Speaker wanted in Phon Ngam

Teaching Job  75 km   Native English Speaker wanted   for rural Mattayom school   in Phon Ngam, Sakon Nakhon  At least 20,000 baht per month  ajarnjobspace.com   list date: March 27, 2012

Saraburi Fireworks Factory Explosion  Tuesday, 27 March  Saraburi  18 car pileup  THE NATION

Ford Builds $450M Plant in Thailand Honda reportedly plans new plant in Thailand Joint exercises planned with Vietnam, Thailand - BusinessWorld Online Edition Kittiratt- I want a weaker baht - Bangkok Post Shin Corporation  Added to Dow Jones  - MarketWatch Thai opposition quits peace panel, fears Thaksin amnesty Thailand drought causes heavy damage - UPI.com Thailand probes hospitals for missing cold drugs Survival calls for 8% increase in output after wage hike - The Nation Phuket NEWS - Firebomb blasts rock Phuket housing estate Phuket NEWS - Gang cuts off tourist’s thumb in bag snatch

Once upon a time... a long time ago...

Firework factory blast in Saraburi - subzerosiam.com  no casualties, blaze under control within hours Sakon Nakhon province  Tomato farmers gain from Doi Kham, T-Holding partnership - The Nation Human Rights Watch: Police Blamed for Killing Drug Suspect - The Isaan Record

Mailbag Chinese traditional qi gong treatment for prostate problems     Bizarre and hilarious Made me wonder if the person who sent me this video is doing research on a medical condition he might experience