Another Great Day in Sakon Nakhon

Visakha Bucha Day Parade Preparations June 4 A few minor traffic jams throughout town as floats crawled to the starting line. Floats where parked wherever there was free space Folks dressed in white for the occasion, gathered at the parade starting point.  It was still quite early.

Fair at the Municipal grounds Seemed like they were just setting up

Wat Phra That Choeng Chum on Visakha Bucha Day

Sakon Nakhon Election Day, June 5 Alcohol free day. Bars closed. I'm just glad it's almost over. Those trucks with their speaker systems which would make any disco owner envy. Yesterday they were going around in convoys, blaring last minute election propaganda. I did get quite a surprise yesterday when I crossed their path. "Hello mister Hans, how are you today?"  Perfect English no less! The announcer went on in Thai, giving a short rendition of my personal history. I don't understand Thai, but I guess if every sentence begins with Mister Hans, then it had to be about me. I circled around to another street.  There they were again.  The whole process of "hello mister Hans..." and the rendition of my life was repeated. The first time it was amusing, the second time it was a bit embarrassing. Note: This blog entry is made before the conclusion of the election. As I do not wish to promote any political entity, I will enlarge the photographs after the election

Thailand News Network GONE

Mail BAG Question DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO TAN NETWORKS?   (Thai Asean News (TAN) Network)   Mail BAG Answer If I have facts correct, the business man, owner, had some major financial difficulties beginning right about the time of one of Thailand's recent political turmoils. Last Facebook posting May 29 Website

Thailand Tourism got it wrong again  ?? A few years ago I contacted the administrator at one of the Thailand Tourism websites. They had listed the wrong dates for the Wax Castle festival in Sakon Nakhon. The dates were corrected after a few days.    Unfortunately, other websites which had copied the incorrect information were not advised of the correction   I've witnessed it before:   A family travels thousands of miles, only to be told that the festival was last week, or the festival will be in two weeks.   They've apparently done it again Tourism Thailand posted last year's dates to advertise the Wax Castle Festival, October 8 through 12. This is Thailand (T.i.T.) anything can happen, even a replay of last year's dates   Stand By:   I will Try to get it directly from the horses mouth Idiom: ...directly from the person concerned or responsible.  Source: Using English com   At the moment it's holiday and election weekend.  Government offices are closed. It will be midweek before I can confirm the dates

BATTLE CRY overhead from dusk to dawn, with an occasional break A couple of my neighbors are bird collectors. No, I don't mean my neighbors with chickens. One is an avid BIRD MAN.  He spends time daily taking care of his exotic flock Another seems to be a trader in birds.  Most times when I peek over the fence, there are different kinds of birds in the cages. There's a couple of birds overhead, now on the second day.  They are raising Holy Hell. Screeching as loud as they can.  Think their offspring was recently caught and is in the cage. I'm awaiting the cessation of bird screeches and rants, so I can turn down the volume on my TV.

I'm not drinking at the moment Lower chest pains, especially after swallowing. I suspect some sort of infection in my intestines. After a morning of pain I decided a visit to the hospital was in order. Blood pressure normal, Chest x-rays normal, EKG normal Medical prognosis:  Infection Government Hospital outpatient treatment and medication 605 Baht return for further examination if not improved within three days

Funny Mail

Sakon Nakhon Muay Thai

Social or Propaganda Event? Heard about the Muay Thai (Thai boxing) event shortly after noon.  Drove past the stadium where the event was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Traffic was at a crawl in the area,  parking seemed non existent. Really obvious: khaki uniforms everywhere.   Apparently they had gathered from throughout the province. I briefly stopped of at the stadium, which was filled with schoolchildren and khaki uniforms. While I was there a major exodus of school kids occurred. These kids had no interest in staying later than their normal school hours. The stadium was filled mostly with uniforms and officials.  Not that many private citizens. probably because it was a work day.  Besides that, the event was broadcast live on TV.  A front row seat at home with a favorite beverage in your hand is still better than the cement seating in the stadium.  Behind the scenes I was offered a beverage a number of times. Watching the fight at home, the whole event seemed more of a propaganda event.  Plenty of speeches.

American Embassy,  Consular Outreach, Khon Kaen June 14, 2012, at Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Hotel, 9-9 Prachasumran Road Further details

Teaching Job Offer declined Received an offer to teach at another school.  I must admit I was tempted.  As long as there are unemployed teachers in the area, I won't consider.  Sakon FC at Chaiyaphum today  (Saturday), 5 pm live feed

Funny Mail

Transportation

Getting here

Bus 
Air conditioned Bus service is available from all major cities.

• From Bangkok: Travel time is 10 to 12 hours.  
• Bus schedule and pricing to multiple locations

Train  
There is no train service to SakonNakhon


Train  Bus / Car Combination

North Eastern line State Railway of Thailand to Khon Kaen or Udon Thani.

From Khon Kaen or Udon Thani continue by bus or hired car.

Air

Sakon Nakhon is served exclusively by NOK AIR 

• Nok Air Booking and seat selection 

Local Transportation

City Bus 

 


Motor cycle taxi 

available only at the main Bus terminal

Always negotiate prices before boarding

Samlot 
available throughout the city

Always negotiate prices before boarding Samlots

Songthaews 

(Baht Bus)

Most have fixed prices.

Limousine service

 

Transportation Desk at SakonNakhon airport

 

Hot, Hotter...

Bangkok Entertainment South Korean Girl Group . .T-ARA's 1st Concert in Thailand Sold Out  Kpop Starz . .in Bangkok on June 3

Weather Expert: Major flood to recur this year, but less devastating  NNT National News Bureau of Thailand I suspect the expert is probably correct. Have been monitoring ocean surface temperatures and things are heating up.  Ocean temperatures are a major factor on local weather. For the moment it's still a mixed bag.  Rain and cooler temperatures, alternating with  sunny periods with very high UV and high humidity.  Expect feels like temperatures at mid forties (C), Sunday thru Tuesday.

Toilet Tourism Japan Spends US$125K on World’s Largest Restroom Weird Asia News It's not really the largest toilet in the world, rather it's an enclosed garden with a regular sized ladies restroom.  According to the article, it was created as a tourist attraction "FOR LADIES ONLY."   Tourism must really be in the . . .! .

Futsal Thailand vs Japan in Dubai tonight (June 1) Televised 10:30 pm (Thai Time) on channel 7

This time it's for real I've threatened to terminate my English teaching career a number of times over the past nine years. This time it's permanent.

Funny Mail Magic Apples Absolutely hilarious with a surprise ending

T.i.T.

Sakon Nakhon Robinson Department store to open in 2013

Mekong River rising                      Mekong River May 16  Mekong River May 30

Thai Trans Woman Makes History With Political Win  Care2 Causes Thai Transgender Activist Wins Provincial Election  Advocate.com Thailand faces tough times in attempt for 15% export growth China Post Thailand’s jobless rate drops to 0.73%  Thailand Business News US envoy to get Gaga complaint Bangkok Post Thailand's Thaksin on his Way Home Asia Sentinel Thai webmaster gets 8-month suspended sentence  Washington Post

Worth A Visit Worth a visit!! Thai Culture Blog

Sakon Nakhon's Branch 63 for lease

Branch 63, also known as Eddie's place is available for lease The restaurant first opened in May of 2008. Eddie's wife, who owns and operates the restaurant is hoping to attain a four year lease. Eddie is remembered as a favorite personality by many expats.  He passed away in Dec 2010 Directions to the restaurant are in a previous post here Grand Opening celebrations May 15 2008 Note: There have been a number of improvements since the grand opening

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