Tropical Storm Gaemi : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground »
Tropical Storm Gaemi is expected to be downgraded to a Tropical Depression by the time it reaches us Saturday..  The center of the storm is forecast to be south of Sakon, near Ubon

If you collect rainwater, cleaning your gutters should be done now

Thailand News  October 3

Yingluck orders agencies to prepare response measures

for Tropical Storm Gaemi

THE NATION  October 4

Eight Bangkok areas face flooding

Thai Meteorological Department 

Weather warning "Tropical Cyclone GAEMI

Thailand's Welcome is getting a bit rusty

On a rescent motorcycle cruise I noticed these signs,
  seemingly in the middle of no-where, a bit neglected.
  Most likely district boundaries.
  Both are welcome(ยินดีต้อนรับ)signs

That's what it would look like with a new paint job

Took a look at the river at

Tao Ngai in the daytime. 

Obviously they had done some digging to make the Illuminated Boat Festival possible

News Bites

Pesticides Threaten Thailand’s Reputation as Food Exporter       Voice of America

Sakon Nakhon Long Boat Races at Lao Po Daeng

October 13 - 14

2008                                                                                           2007

2005                                                                                           2003

Lao Po Daeng is 14 km from the Apple restaurant
  Look for this sign on highway 223

News Bites

Thaksin Overture Thailand’s exiled Thaksin Shinawatra makes cautious overtures to return home   The Vancouver Sun

Eastern Thailand Faces Drought   bernama Thailand facing severe drought, residents parched   bikyamasr Storms set to dump heavy rains on Thailand this weekend   THE NATION

2012 Sakon Nakhon Illuminated Boat Festival at Tao Ngai

Floats displayed at the fair grounds

Looking closely at the handicraft of the floats,

it's obvious that construction involved thousands of hours

The water level of the river wasn't all that deep. Knee deep in places.
Islands had formed in the middle of the river.
I was wondering how in the heck they could float barges in such little water.
Tiny four foot floats appeared.
I was extremely disappointed and ready to proclaim
"false advertisement!!"

Time passed by and I was ready to go home.
Here I have to borrow a line from a late night commercial:

But wait, there's more... 

I was enthralled

Having noted my disappointment earlier in the evening,

my 'Thai Family' asked me if I was happy. I was delighted!!

  The event was attended by a huge crowd, very orderly, very Thai.

Police did spot check large purses and coolers to insure the event remained a non-alcohol event.

2010 Video by arakwarit ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

So Good Dinner Party

Sakon Nakhon 'Inter EXPO 2012"

Now through October 4
at the Permsub Market, near the new bus terminal
Worth seeing ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 




"Inter" at the FREE DICTIONARY

Lost in Translation

The name of the market struck me as unusual and strange.   
Sub meaning below, or poor quality.

Searching through the internet I found Permsap used frequently for names of villas.
I'm told the Permsap means 'more money.' 




Never been quite satisfied with the translation of Sakon City.
Supposedly it means city of cities.
Interestingly the Facebook translation of Sakon City is Sapphire City

The translation at You Tube for สกลนคร is also Sapphire