Sakon City getting ready to party

City sprucing in preparation for the festivities has begun.
They're pruning and mowing and raking.

They were even repainting street traffic markings.
You know those white lines and turn lane arrows on the pavement.
Instead of using modern equipment, it's done by local labor.
A chalk outline is drawn, then come the paintbrushes and paint rollers.
Had wanted to take a picture of the work on my return trip.  But by the time I returned, they were long gone.  Probably will return another day

In the west it's done with machinery

There have been daily power shut downs lasting ten minutes or so along I.T.U..
Electric service upgrades I suspect. 

Tropical Storm Gaemi

Yesterday's assessment that the storm would move further south and continue to slow down seems to have become reality.  Originally forecast to enter Thailand by Friday, the storm arrival is now expected some time Sunday evening    A northern pressure system is pushing Tropical Storm Gaemi further south, leaving Sakon Nakhon unscathed.  Locally expect occasional overcast skies, cooler temperatures, occasional rain. Tropical Storm Gaemi : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground »

Over the past years I'd frequently mentioned the doughnut effect over Sakon Nakhon. It happens frequently Bad weather all around us, with local clear skies.  The 2011 storms which caused flooding havoc throughout south and central Thailand, aimed straight at Sakon Nakhon. Then at the last moment it split, part to the north of us, part to the south. There was some flooding in the northern and southern parts of the province, but the city remained unscathed

Tropical storm Gaemi

According to earlier estimates, the storm should have arrived this evening. The storm has been moving very slowly, in fact it's been stationary for the past six hours according to some reports. Gaemi has been upgraded to an Extra Tropical Cyclone. Before Gaemi arrives possible local thunderstorms will be influenced by a ridge of high pressure from China. I'm taking a wild guess here, but if the ridge of high pressure approaching from the north-north west, remains strong, it may be possible that Gaemi may be pushed further south. My guess is somewhat supported by weather forecast which indicate diminished rainfall in the area after this weekend. I'm a bit perplexed by a statement in the Bangkok Post: "..the first tropical storm to hit the country in three years." What caused all that flooding last year? Not tropical Storms?  Oh that's right, someone drained the reservoirs  at the wrong time. I've been watching ocean surface temperatures on a daily basis. It's hot out there.  So I'm not surprised by a prediction at Coconuts Bangkok: "A second storm after Gaemi? Oy vey!" Anyway you look at it, the game plan is continuously changing and deserves continuous watching

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 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥