Don't snort Palcohol

There's a new word you can add to your spell check software:

Palcohol (Powdered alcohol)

It's been approved  by the  US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and will be available in the US later this year.

Palcohol- the powderised alcohol that turns water into rum

Palcohol: US Government reveals it has approved powdered alcohol - The Independent

Made me chuckle

Thai Political Crisis a Boon for Some Street-Smart Entrepreneurs - WSJ

"...The problem could soon get worse. After a break for Thailand’s New Year holidays, rival political groups are preparing for another round of mass protests..."

Redshirts hunt (election commissioner ) Somchai - Thai PBS English News

 "...Somchai later posted on his Facebook apologising the red shirts for his remarks. He said he did not mean all red  shirts but only a few of them...."

Scattered Thunderstorms

Today

Temperature 40 C Realfeel 46C
T-storm,  rain early afternoon, wind 6 SSW
T-storm,  rain after midnight

Week ahead

I did mention previously that the rainy season has arrived, not at jet speed, more like an Easter Rabbit, jumping here and there.
Last local rain was three days ago, since then occasional plenty nearby thunder.  Just a lot of noise, I had to water my melon patch.

Two scattered system are colliding in our vicinity

Officially the rainy season starts and 

ends with the  Buddhist Lent

Jul 12, 2014 (full moon) - Oct 8, 2014 (full moon).  
Gives the monks a reason to stay at the temple do intensive meditation, eat no meat, drink no alcohol, no smoking. 

4sale at Apples

Set of four bar stools

Happy Easter

Do a Heartbleed check

"Heartbleed Bug, a vulnerability in OpenSSL placing millions of Internet users personal information at risk"

• free Vulnerability check at McAfee

• free Vulnerability check at Norton

Amazing Act

It's the economy, stupid

I noticed a decline in the Thai economy during the recent Songkran celebrations.
Not as many participants as in previous years here in the city.
Less people seem to have the money for the ritualistic travel home for Songkran.

Media are still forecasting a recession ahead.  In reality it arrived some months ago.
Local business noted a downturn as early as last December.

Rice, Rubber and Sugar are in oversupply.  The local construction boom seems to be slowing just slightly.

Thais seem to be a bit on edge.  One article put the blame on worries over the job market.  I bet it has all to do with the Red and Yellow shenanigans.

Thai Protest Could Affect Economy

Thai economy near recession

Rising household debt levels threaten economic stability

Rubber Surplus Exceeding Forecast as Thai Output Revised

Thailand Short Of Industrial Workers

Thai TMB Bank cuts 2014 loan growth target after weak Q1

"It's the economy, stupid" is a slight variation of the phrase "The economy, stupid" which James Carville had coined as a campaign strategist of Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against sitting president George H. W. Bush.