Sunday, May 18, 2014

The last campaign ???

Suthep to surrender if last campaign draws less than a million people - Thai PBS English News

Rainy Season Prelude:
. . .Lightening strikes home

According to yesterday's news, the start of the rainy season is expected near the end of the month (May).
Shortly after noon it began with light rain and turned out to be the strongest storm so far this year. 

 Lightening got close and personal! Came in through the satellite dish.

Lucky I had upgraded the main circuit breakers to include surge protection.

Electricity shut off but the surge did blow the HDMI connection on my HTC satellite box installed just hours before the storm.

If lightening is that near, its a good idea to stand on a carpet, or wear footwear.
Over half of the provinces in Thailand are still in drought condition

And now some funnies


Expat Dine & DrinkApple Pit StopRoadhouse

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Photo ALbums worth visiting



Sakon Nakhon Lotus lantern parade and ceremony






Sports center construction progress, construction at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University




Yawn: Thai Football

AFC Women’s Asian Cup (Ho Chi Minh)
Thailand       0 
South Korea 7
Thailand target improvement - Bangkok Post

Rainy Season to arrive end of May

National News Bureau of Thailand
Meteorological Department- Thailand will enter the rainy season by the end of May

The recent plentiful rains we've experienced have been coming from the north (China), not normally associated with the rainy season.

Weather patterns are beginning change


Temperatures should begin to drop somewhat after midweek, 

from the upper 30's to the lower 30'.  Same for the  feels like temperatures  from the upper 40's to the lower 40s.
Currently we are seeing a phenomenon quite common to  this area.
I call it the doughnut-hole effect.  Possibly a result of the Phu Phan mountains 

The rainy season generally peaks mid July with storms coming from the east. Buddhist Lent also known as rains retreat begins July 12.  It's time for study and meditation.
Contrary to rumours, monks are not restricted to temple grounds during this period, and can be seen in the general public.
Expat Dine & DrinkApple Pit StopRoadhouse

Friday, May 16, 2014

New Item at Apples beginning Friday


Nicely seasoned Steamed Chicken. Served with rice and spicy sauce 79 baht
Also regular cut Steak dinners this Friday at 199 baht

Whose 'calculator' do you trust?

Tourism is down, how much?

Recent headlines proclaim 30 to 50%

And now the Official version:
  • According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data  International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a decline of 4.91%, January to April.

No gain at the end of the day

  • Protests at fast food restaurants in 150 cities across the world
Fast Food Strike Progress Measured in Pennies, Not Dollars - TIME.com
Opinion: When Thailand's labourers received a 50% minimum wage increase (or more, depending on location), costs of all goods and services shot up 'overnight.' 
Many minimum wage earners actually wound up being able to afford less than before.