Sunday, March 17, 2013

Sakon FC defeated at Udon FC


The trip to Udon: Total chaos!


Around 10 am I received a call, postponing agreed upon departure, by one hour.

Three minutes underway, I realized I had forgotten my passport.  Don't leave home without it.

The return trip took 15 minutes.  You don't drive around Big-C on a weekend.

Got lost in Udon traffic, we arrived 15 minutes into the game.




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With four more games to play today,  Sakon FC has already dropped from 7th in the league to 10th.
Chances are that the team's standings will slip some more by the end of today.
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The final score: Udon FC 3 - Sakon FC 1

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Sakon Style: Land of Smiles

Word had gotten around, there was to be a parade. There was one.
Nobody seemed to know the parade route. 
There were Thai folk along ITU (road) expecting the parade to pass in front of their house.

A friend of mine, works for the government, gave me a ride.
First we drove past City hall, nothing going on there.
Nothing going on at the provincial headquarters either.

A phone call and we were now headed to What Phra That Dum, at the other end of town.
Nothing there either. 
Finally got out at Patana School.
The parade and ceremonies were conducted within the confines of Patana School complex.

Huge posters of government officials set the tone of the event:
Opening ceremonies of the week-long sports competition.

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Parade participants outnumbered the 'viewing audience.'


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I hear mention (unconfirmed gosip) that the government is spending 10 million on this week-long festival of  'sports and theater.' (337,644.00 USD).  The event is a gathering of representatives from many Isan provinces.

Tourists? Nah didn't see any.

It was an ocean of THAI SMILES


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Plenty of fun, interesting and strange


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Stepped across the street twice for a beer. 
Wasn't the only one!!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Sakon Nakhon Gala


 Parade, Ceremonies, Light-Show


Sleepless in Sakon City
I was awaken at 12:20, shortly after midnight, for an 
exclusive Light-Show rehearsal video.

Gala at dictionary.com

a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment
festal pomp or dress
celebration; festive occasion
sporting occasion involving competitions in several events:
probably of Germanic origin


Information is unconfirmed!  

                                 Happens today, 3 p.m.

 ask your Thai relatives/friends to confirm times and locations  
Parade 3 pm.  followed by ceremonies and  light-show (includes smoke machines).