Caution: Slippery When Wet

April 11:  Food Fest Preparations

April 12:   Songkran Preparations at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum      This Year the Buddhist statutes are lined up along the temple grounds for worshipers to douse.      Caution:  When wet, the marble tile can be quite slippery in places      Obvious to me was the absence of larger statues on display in past years      Donations kindly accepted      As I was leaving the temple I passed the stage area.       One of the stage hands insisted that I take his picture and quite boisterously said      Welcome to Thailand !!      After having been here for almost a decade, it's still great to hear that

Subdued Songkran?      Bangkok Post published an article Songkran spending subdued      Noticed that locally      Only spotted two huts along the 'wet route.'   One quite meager at that.      There were a lot more in past years      Also in past years, the city set up water barrels and insured they were filled.  Did not see that this year.      Could be that they were running behind schedule in their preparations?      If you want to avoid all the water festivities,               you may opt to go for                    a pleasant boat ride on Nong Hahn

Still a dream in Sakon City

Central Plaza Udon Thani Video Published on Apr 11, 2012 by ken355555

Sakon F.C. Fans 'GONE WITH THE WIND'

Sakon F.C.  Surprise / NO Surprise The fact that Sakon F.C. lost against Udon Thani 2-1 in the  Toyota Cup game yesterday, comes as no surprise. What does come as a surprise is that the regular game ended in a 0-0 tie. Even during the extra period the team held on almost to the end. From the looks of things,   the team must perform miracles to regain some of their fans. That's apparent by the attendance at last Sunday's home game against Kalasin. Sakon F.C. vs Kalasin, April 8.  Sakon F.C. Fans 'GONE WITH THE WIND'

Sakon Nakhon Guide (via Google translate)

Ancient Nagha Tradition Revived

The sighting of a floating object last month has locals identifying it as a Nāga. A serpent like creature found in Buddhism and Hinduism. Thus a annual tradition (every April 11) is re-born Unfortunately I was informed of the event as it occurred, and could not attend

Koh Don Sawan   the biggest island of more than 20 islands on Nong Hahn

Prostitution busted. Infant Corpse discovered

Sakon Nakhon   Underage Boy Prostitution Business Busted . A teacher operating an after school prostitution establishment has been nabbed. Students from nearby colleges and schools went there to 'earn money' for sexual favors. Some of the students were 16 and 17 years old. First heard of the establishment in 2008. The establishment seems to have been operating mainly for the benefit of Thais. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand.  Paradoxically, another law states prostitutes must be at least 19 years old.

Sakon Nakhon   Abandoned Baby found in Trash Bin  video by MrSmithPNS on Apr 10, 2012

Thai Tourism Video                                                                        Sakon Nakhon

Nongharn town, where present day Sakon Nakhon stands Brief historical facts about Sakon Nakhon @ vietnammotorbiketours.asia

Sakon FC reportcard: 8 zeros, 2 D's

Sakon FC tied with  Kalasin FC yesterday,   the team's second Draw.  It is the only team without at least one win and continues to face a one year suspension

Recent Flooding     Conditions    in Sakon Nakhon

Toyota Cup                April 11, Sakon FC at Udon FC        Songkran Law  High-pressure water guns outlawed  sale and use of talcum powder  not allowed  drinking alcohol while walking banned bangkokpost.com

Thailand prepares for the rainy season

Thai wage hike hitting firms   Large increase has manufacturers considering relocation   DAILY YOMIURI      Alarm as resistant malaria spreads rapidly   The Citizen

Weather Outlook Friday:     37 (Feels like 46)  Mostly sunny Saturday: 37 (Feels like 46)  Scattered light rain Sunday:   36 (Feels like 45)  Scattered Moderate or heavy rain Monday: 35 (Feels like 43)  Scattered Moderate or heavy rain

From my mail: Local Makro now selling Cumberland fat-boy sausages, large hamburgers, New Orleans chicken and chicken nuggets

Apple's in April

Opens Monday, April  9.  

BBQ Food and Bakery goods available beginning Wednesday, April 11.

Located on Thanon Sakon-Nakea,  just before the first traffic light heading out of town.

Heavy Rains cause Home & Garden Ant Invasion

Bangkok Lady Cops doing the Safe Songkran Promotion Dance

This Week Temperatures rising slightly. April 13 & 14 we might see 37C.  With humidity it should feel like lower 40's C Chance of daily scattered thunderstorms Rainfall Apr 7: 103mm (4") Rainfall Apr 4: 59mm (2.32")

Ants on the Move looking for dryer grounds to homestead Just days before the rains began I noticed a mass invasion of ants from all directions. Think their weather warning system is a lot better than the ones made up by humans. I encircled the house with talc powder.  As long as it remains in powder form, talc is a great ant inhibitor. When the humidity solidifies the powder, I use a straw broom to return it to powder form. Gardening day this morning.  Ants on the move for dry homesteads. In the garden I use a mixture of dish soap and water.  Kill's the ants and loosens the soil. Haven't had any plants die from dish soap.  Spiders and other bugs seem to 'hightail it' too. In tiled areas of the house I use spray window/tile cleaner.

I'm not expecting miracles

New Expat establishment opening next Monday Details on Sunday Ban on booze (sales) as emergency services brace for accidents It's quite obvious that Thailand does have a serious alcohol problem. Total bans don't work, just look at the American prohibition during the last century. Be aware that road checks will be set up before, during, and after the holidays to catch intoxicated drivers. Sakon F.C. Website has been closed for a few days now for non payment of annual fees. The team seems to be in serious crisis, seven games this season, no wins, one draw. The team faces Kalasin this Sunday here in town, 5pm.  I'm not expecting miracles. Sakon Nakhon Youth Football Wednesday's scheduled game was postponed due to tropical rains, to Sunday, 1 PM. Mister Hans F.C. has won their first two games Opening ceremony of the Solar farm: " Solar Power Sakon 1"  ryt9 Thursday, April 5

Sakon Nakhon News By Mister Smith  Thai script Sakon Nakhon Daily on Facebook   * SAKON NAKHON "City of Beautiful lake, Beautiful Mountain and Beautiful Girl  Sakon's Songkran water added

Google Translate 194 marijuana bars Seized by Mukdahan police  astv.mobi Google Translate  Ubon Truck collides with Bank  astv.mobi Democratic Voice of Burma  Deadly malaria strain threatens Thai-Burma border   TIME.com  Drug-Resistant Malaria Is Spreading,                    and It Could Be a Public Health Disaster Bangkok Post    Songkran celebrations all over Thailand Teacher Gig.com  Native English Speaker  27,000baht per month, Phon Ngam