Thailand's general elections, due early next month,  can be postponed the court said

"...society at large demands clean (‘yellow’) and responsive (‘red’) governance"

Thai government seeks administrative court go-ahead  to raise $4 billion to pay rice farmers

Recently read that only 30% of rice collected by the government has been paid for. 
If that number has not changed it means 70% of the farmers have not been paid. 
No money in the government till apparently. 
Banks have offered loans at 7% interest based on pending government payments, (expected when what freezes over). 

With a worldwide overstock of rice on hand, harvest income in the years ahead is going to be reduced. 

Not helping the situation is the present climate. Cold weather results in immature rice, empty husks. 

Even during better times, ricefarmers supplement their income mostly by working at construction projects. Construction in this area has been booming for a few years. 
Now many available houses and 'Shop Units' sit empty. Many overpriced (for this region).

Brains of elderly slow because they know so much

Filipinos in Thailand told to prepare for possible evacuation

Thai court set to rule on whether Feb. election goes ahead

National Anti-Corruption Commission set to charge PM Yingluck Shinawatraover rice scheme after election

They're Ready for the Fair

Yesterday I stopped by and watched final preparations for the Fair opening.

I't not so exciting to me as in past years.

Used to be able and sit down with a cool drink and watch the world go by.

These days Alcohol ห้าม (prohibited) at most public events.

They used to have bumper car rides.  They have been gone for a number of years.
At the Red Cross 'fish tank' I did get greeted: "Hello Mister Hans"

Current Cold Season Longest in a Decade

Coldest weather in decades hits Thailand

Thai capital gets coldest weather in 3 decades

Expect slow  warming trend

	Fri 24	Sat 25	Sun 26	Mon 27	Tue 28	Wed 29	Thu 30	Fri 31	Sat 1	Sun 2
AccuWeather	28/12	30/14	30/13	30/14	31/14	31/15	33/17	33/18	34/19	34/16
MeoWeather	30/15	32/15	29/15	32/16	30/16	32/17	33/17
Thai Meteo	24/11	25/13	26/14	26/13	26/14	27/15	27/16
WeatherChan	27/11	29/13	29/12	29/13	29/13	29/13	31/14	31/14	32/14	33/15
Wunderground	28/14	30/14	30/14	30/15	30/15	30/15	31/16	32/16	33/16	32/16
rp5.ru	25/11	27/15	27/15	26/16	26/14	27/15

Tonight at the Sakon Nakhon Red Cross Fair

 

T for two 5555

Army prepared to intervene, says Prayuth

US Embassy Bangkok Emergency Messages and Announcements

November	2 Security Messages
December	3 Security Messages
	1 Emergency Message
January	3 Security Messages
	1 Emergency Message  - January 17, 2014
	1 Travel Alert  - January 20, 2014

NO BOOZE Chinese New Year

If elections scheduled for February 2 are held, expect a no alcohol sales period to be in effect beginning on Saturday evening, February 1., lasting through midnight on Sunday.