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