Monday, August 18, 2014

Updated Tourism Up or Down?

Thailand’s tourism struggles  TTR Weekly

  •  article includes market statistics


Tourist arrivals increase graduallyThai PBS English News

Tourist arrivals drop 10.47 percent to 13.6 million in seven monthsThai PBS English News

Thailand- Proposal for domestic tourism 'tax rebates'Thailand Forum

Thai visa backpedal sparks ire at Vietnamese travel firms
Travel - Thanh Nien Daily

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

Sunday, August 17, 2014

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. 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Watch the Birdy


SakonNakhon FC hosts Chaiyaphum FC

4 pm, Pattana Suska School Field


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