Mixed signal More up or down

Thai Airways sees earlier return to profit; plans job cuts - Reuters

Thai Airways to lose 20 billion baht this year | Thailand News

THAI bid to stave off cash-flow crisis - The Nation

Thai economy shows signs of revival | GMA News Online

Failed Durian Disguse

Drug smugglers use durian to foil police attempt to seize drugs
Thailand News - Thailand Forum
Police were "Acting on a tip-off..."

Sakon FC challenge at Nong Khai

Of 21 games played this year, Sakon Nakhon FC only brought the gold home three times.
Interestingly the first win of the year was against Nong Khai in Sakon Nakhon in March

This Saturday Sakon Nakhon FC again faces Nong Khai on their home turf. 
A quick history lesson will reveal that Nong Khai clobbered us 3-1 on their home turf in 2013.

Going Back a year, in January of 2012 I Nong Kai beat SakonNakhon F.C. like a 'bad child' 4-0.  A second game that year also ended in  Nong Khai win 2-0

In 2011 Nong Khai was the winner of the Phu Phan Cup and beat Sakon Nakhon FC 3-1 in a regular season game.


If I were a betting man I would not bet on a Sakon Nakhon win just yet. 

First I'd be doing some heavy praying to Vassakan and beg him to saturate the playing field.  

Sakon FC players do much better on a field which resembles a bath tub.

Vassakan is the god of rain who enjoys having rockets shot up his rear end as a wakeup call

Baht Rising

Some of the recent US$ conversions: 

31.6   31.7   31.8   32.01

It's been obvious since the coup, the Baht has been making gains.  The gains have been at a snails pace, but very persistent.
It's one of the main factors I consider when planning my budget.

At my house travel plans and major purchases are either cut back or shelved. I don't need to purchase a new vehicle just now.

I don't foresee a strong reversal any time soon.

Farmers my be the big losers if they had not already diversified.
I am beginning to see the bottom dropping out of the rubber market, sugar at a worldwide oversupply, price of rice dropping.  

Chaiyaphum FC defeated 0-2

Sakon Nakhon FC had possession of the ball more than Chaiyaphum and seemed to have the upper hand during the entire game.

Early morning tropical rains were especially heavy. 
Sakon Nakhon players tend to perform better when most of the field is up to two inches under water.  


Obviously the team had one of it's better days. 

Watch the Birdy

SakonNakhon FC hosts Chaiyaphum FC

4 pm, Pattana Suska School Field

Post by รัก ไม่ต้องการเวลา.

Heavy Rain Warning

The Thai Meteorological Department expects abundant rain from now until the end of the month throughout Thailand, causing flash floods in some locations.  The department expects continuous rain until mid October.

Local rainfall this year has been 'adequate,' but somewhat less than in recent years.  
Generally we experience the heaviest rains when they arrive from the east.  There's not a lot of weather action in the South China Sea heading our way.  Not yet.

I suspect the local rainy season will end in mid to late September, leaving the area hot and dry in time for festivals in October.

According to the department, cool season temperatures will be lower this year

January 2014
  

source

Phuket Flood

Post by www.mcot.net.

Minimum Salary for Sport Visitors

A few posts back I linked a few articles in which foreign football players playing for Thai teams seem to be struggling to survive.  Of course there are a few better off players. Those players generally have proven their value and are playing for teams which are more financially sound.

 I’m happy in Thailand and not a gigolo – Ghana’s Offei - Goal.com

Smaller teams, such as most of the regional Isan teams have not kept 'foreign' players for any length of time, possibly due to immigration regulations.

The situation is about to get much worse:  Clause 2.32 of the Thai Immigration police order 327/2557 effective August 29, 2014 stipulates that a 'sport visitor' must have a monthly income of 40,000 Baht.

How many players on any of the regional teams outside the premier league make that kind of football salary without a 'second income?' 

40,000 Baht is a lot more than what most foreign teachers earn in Thailand

A copy of the translated police order in PDF form is available at THAIVISA