More Sakon Nakhon Chinese New Year

Buriram declares 16 of 18 districts

Drought disaster areas

• ASTV manager on line Thai 
• ASTV manager on line Google Translate

• Thailand develops as hub for international schools International Education News 

• Thai schools breed fraternities of violence  Al Jazeera English 

• Could rice program bankrupt Thailand  Agriculture Professional 

• China Is Burning Almost as Much Coal as Rest of the World Combined - TIME.com

Chinese New Year, I'm not impressed

this year

previous years

Seems to me the reserved 'elite' seating has more than tripled in size from past years, reducing the public seating in the square.

To make up for the public seating, two rows of tables where set up in the street leading away from the square, making foot traffic cumbersome.

this year

previous years

Plenty of food stalls. Lots of variety, everything from oysters to steak. 

Something very obviously missing from this year's celebration
were the historical exhibits of the past ↓

Past years there were multiple street entertainers. This year I just saw one group.

Makes me wonder if the Red Cross Fair is stealing the thunder from the Chinese New Year celebrations. 

Just wasn't enticed enough to stick around for the show this year.

T.i.T. Bits

Sakon Nakhon on You Tube 

• Chinese New Year Parade Tom Isaan

• Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon on the VIP Coach Tom Isaan

สกลนคร on You Tube

• January 25, M150 concert

• Lion Dance

Thailand

Cobra Gold 2013 

February 11-21  in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Exercise includes Burma, Indonesia, Japan, (S)Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States

Juice tax increases planned  The Nation

"The department needs to seek more revenue."

Cops demand money from shop owner...   The Nation

Thailand reacts with outrage to US comedy show  Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Sakon Nakhon getting ready to party

Chinese New Years Celebrations Preparations

Not amused, inappropriate

• Return shipment, Thai customs not amused

• Thailand Considers Civil Union Bill
                Would Be First Country in Asia

• NOK Air Calendar inappropriate?  The Nation  

South African skater Decio Lourenco faces arrest for speeding at 68 mph on a skateboard
His video on Youtube is the evidence

How many car stereos can I sell you today

Video by DJM

Asia's Finger Fetish: What's it mean?

  If you've ever held up your camera to take a photo of a person in Thailand,
the majority of Thais immediately pose with their fingers.

I have yet to get a straight answer, why, what's the meaning.

Past uses indicated Victory, later it became a Peace symbol.
During the Bow and arrow days, bowmen proudly showed their enemy that they still had their fingers.

If anything, I find it distracting from a photograph, and generally attempt non-posed photography.  But that's not always practical.

There seems to be a new meaning for displaying the middle finger

Hot then Hotter

Weather approaching from west southwest

Next week:  
Highs 34-35, Lows 19

Increased temperatures next Friday through Monday

Feb 15 - 18

Forecast 37-39

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