Visakha Bucha celebrations

Saturday

Saturn

That about T.A.T.

With a new Governor named for Tourism Authority of Thailand, I wondered how many governors had held that office during my stay in Thailand.

From appearances, governors are replaced every three to four years.
The newly selected governor officially assumes his post on Dec 21

2013-	Thawatchai Arunyik named next governor of  TAT
2009-2013	Suraphon Svetasreni
2006-2009	Phornsiri Manoharn expected to be appointed the new TAT governor
2002-2006	Juthamas Siriwan indicted (2010) in USA for taking bribes
-2002	Ousted TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien seeks to declare unlawful & illegal  order removing him from the post

Visakha Bucha aka:National Beer wrapping day aka:ALcohol in a coffee cup day

It's the holiest Buddhist holiday, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.

Public parade probably sometime around dusk.
Starts at the city gates and makes it's way to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum.

Umbrellas are advisable.

It's an alcohol free day, bars discos closed.  Alcohol may not be sold.
Enforcement is haphazard. Many ma & pa  operations continue business as usual.
Alcohol purchases may be individually wrapped, so as to become less obvious.

Some restaurants, especially those patronized by westerners, tend to play "hide the booze," serving drinks in coffee mugs.

Dress code for the day is white
     

Video explains the event

Friday

Venus

Rainy Days

Weather moving West to East

Thursday

Eat your Vegetables

Chocolate is an antioxidant, also suppresses migraines and headaches
Modest reduction in blood pressure.
Contains: Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Iron

Dark Chocolatemore beneficial.
Milk in chocolate is believed to reduce the benefits.
Sugar in chocolate counters dietary  and other benefits
Chocolate can be adictive.

Chocolate is a vegetable

Derived from cacao beans. Bean = vegetable

Hershey company announced a new product:  Lancaster, a milk candy sold only in China (for now).
Milk candies are very popular in Asia.

Wednesday

Mercury

Monotonous Local Weather

Flooding in China is an annual event around this time of year.
It seems to precede flooding in Thailand.

Published on May 20, 2013

Flooding in the Philippines is an annual event around this time of year.
It seems to precede flooding in Thailand.

Published on May 16, 2013

In the US Tornado season arrived late this year.
May well become one of the costliest on record.

Makes you wonder what's in store for us this year

No local weather hazard alerts at this time

A week of daily 60 to 70% chances of rain is ahead of us according to Thai Meteorology Department.

High and low temperatures almost monotonous (unvarying), little change in the immediate future.
Add to that humidity.

Tuesday

Football under the rainbow

It was a very bright sunny day
  
Clouds threatening to bring rain were burnt off by the sun overhead

  

During the first half

I would have loved to hand an eye chart to the referees.  

Some very noticeable mistakes were made.

At half time the refs needed a full eight man police escort.

 

Second half 
Refereeing was nearly flawless.  Obviously some words were said.
The second half was intense.  
As if both teams just had their 'Wheaties,' or something.

    
  

The Nong Bua Lamphu goal keeper had quite a workout. 
He is premier quality.

Non stop action.  Many close call disappointments.
Three minutes added, still no score.

Crowds were leaving. The stadium was emptying quickly.

One minute to play when Sakon FC...

....cheered and text-ed 

Sakon FC               1
Nong Bua Lamphu 0

The security escort was just ceremonial.  
One officer, not eight

Monday

Video highlights Sakon FC vs Nong Bua Lamphu

Video highlights Sakon FC vs Nong Bua Lamphu at Siam Sport

I like to keep comfortable.  I bring pillows.

I'd love to bring a recliner sometime

What we learned in school today

Entertainment subjects seem to be most important.
With tourism as a main source of foreign revenue, nearly 50% of the economy: It's really not a bad thing.

Sunday