Sakon Nakhon

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sakon FC... just add water

I'll admit, after a disastrous season, 11 losses and 2 draws, I wasn't expecting any miracles. But then I've always said "this team performs better during the rainy season !!! "

They've proved me correct.
The heavy tropical downpour began just before the game, during the playing of the national anthem.

Mother nature made every effort to help Sakon FC win this game.
Even cheating didn't seem to be below her. With a gust of wind she tried to advance the score from 3 to 9.

The game was the most attended home game of the season

It was an exciting game from start to finish, with a few rain induced comical moments.
Plenty of slipping and sliding.
Unfortunately after the game ended disgruntled Nakhon Phanom fans marred the pleasant atmosphere.

Police had to temporarily delay the exit of referees from the field. A full water bottle was thrown at the referees along with verbal abuse.

Of course the defeat by the worst team in the league was detrimental to Nakhon Phanom hopes of advancing to the championship pool.

At one point Nakhon Phanom should have received a red card, instead they were given a yellow card.
This was quite understandably, considering the wet conditions of the field.

Sakon Nakhon Property for Sale

This is the e-mail I received from Tony.
I've added a few pictures I had taken at his place during my visits over the years

For Sale

Land, Bungalow, Bar, and Fishing Pool

Situated on a main road (hwy 223), just 20 minutes from Sakon Nakhon city.

The sale consists of a

3 bedroom bungalow with covered parking for 2 vehicles
large bar seats approximately 50
snooker room
rooms for staff accommodation
large Thai style kitchen that overlooks the fishing pool
well stocked fish pool

The bar is currently a food and karaoke style business, and is leased out until the end of the year.
Set on 5 Rai of land with ample room for building rentable accommodation,

Land within the town area is selling at 5 million Baht per Rai, I am looking for a Quick Sale and will take 6.5 M Baht for all. The Reason for the Quick sale is due to a relationship breakdown.

This is a great opportunity for a buyer with enthusiasm as I once had.It is a great place to live in a wonderful country setting, and could be a very lucrative business.

Should you like more information, or set a time and date for viewing please do not hesitate to contact me.Tony 0898627102

Weather

Thai Meteorological Department
"heavy rain...
...monsoon trough lies across the North and the upper Northeast."

Gossip: I don't go out very much these days

If they're referring to night time drinking and partying, they're right.
My calendar is filled with other events:

Sunday: Football game, Sakon FC hosts Nakhon Phanom FC

Monday: Lecture "Hotel Industry". This is mainly an English lesson.

Tuesday: Three day trip to Nakhon Phanom to attend a school activity day.
My recent visit to that school was so pleasant,
I jumped at the offer to do it again.

Senior citizen survival

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Celebrating in Sakon Nakhon

Visakha Bucha celebrations in Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon has hosted the annual celebrations of Visakha Bucha Day since 2003 Bangkok Post

The next major Buddhist Holiday is Asalha Puja August 2, celebrating Buddha's first sermon.
The following day is Wan Khao Phansa, the beginning of the Buddhist rain retreat (Buddhist Lent)

Keeping track of Buddhist holidays can be a bit of a problem. These holidays are based on the lunar calendar and change every year.

Many websites have erroneous information regarding these holidays.
The 2012 Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival is a typical example.
One website lists the event dates October 8-12. Those dates were the 2011 dates.

2012 Royal Long Boat Races and Wax Castle Festival

Haven't seen any official dates for this year's events, so I did a little math based on previous celebrations


Year	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Full Moon	Oct 26	Oct 14	Oct 4	Oct 23	Oct 12	Oct 29
Celebration Dates	Oct 22-26	Oct 10-14	Sept 30-Oct 4	Oct 20-23	Oct 8-12	Oct 26-30

Photo Album Update

After a disk crash last year, and almost loosing thousands of photographs (over 50,000), I've made multiple copies and am in a long process of sharing them on the web.

It's been quite a surprise to many of my friends and Thai family who are seeing pictures of themselves taken over the past ten years.
Of course it's also quite interesting to see changes that have taken place here in the city.