May 13, 2015, Royal Ploughing ceremony

Thailand NATIONAL HOLIDAY No Alcohol restrictions  Banks closed  Ploughing ceremony is broadcast live on many Thai TV stations  Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day 2014 on youtube In Thailand, the common name of the ceremony is Raek Na Khwan (แรกนาขวัญ) which literally means the "auspicious beginning of the rice growing season" wikipedia

Sakon Nakhon

This really tastes good

Bought a few bags and made some mango ice tea, sweetened it with honey It's available locally 35 baht per bag, three bags 100 baht.  On the map it's that shopping basket just up the street from the pool and garden shop.  Speak English, German, and of course Thai. 17° 8'25.90"N 104°

Sakon Nakhon

Continued chance of scattered showers

Increased chance of showers through Wednesday, Thursday

Sakon Nakhon

Lost in Translation

Six-wheel taxi Sakon 0831514162  K 'Oh', cheap taxi service in several sizes

Sakon Nakhon

Looks like an orange, is it an orange?

Question answered: it's a  Gac fruit, also known as  fahk khao

the seed membranes are said to aid in the relief of dry eyes, as well as to promote healthy vision  - 

 contains carotenoids  and a protein that may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells

TIT (This is Thailand (facebook)

 
click images for TIT (This is Thailand)

Burma travel plans? Are you ready for this.

I'm addicted, at least once weekly, to a football (soccer) match and a few beers

Sakon FC was out of town: Loi is a lengthy five hour drive from Sakon City.  Not a trip I was enticed to take, since  the chances for Sakon FC were "A snowball in Hell." (5-2) There's been a local series of football games lasting throughout the day into the night.  Not sure, but it seems to be a Sakon province competition.  One local team was scheduled to start on the field at 9pm. Jawn  The day had started off with extreme high humidity (due to the saturday rains). By the time I reached Metro field (next to the police station), the evening temperature was pleasant.  I stayed long enough to finish two beers, about an hour.    I suppose you could say they were street games.  A few times a ball would stray across the street, with near motorcycle encounters (4x while i was attending).  No damage, the beer kept my heart rate calm.  No markings on the field, sideline referees only, two twenty minute halves per game.   Intoxication Thailand    Zero for professional or commercial drivers  0.05% for all other drivers   Blood Alcohol tolerance is influenced by body weight   women 1 drink per hour  Men 2 drinks for the first hour, then one drink per hour

Sakon Nakhon

Another bad day for Sakon FC.

The team lost 5-2 against Loi.  Nothing better was expected, as Loi is number one in the league with 11 wins in 13 games.    Sakon Nakhon is now 16th of 18 teams in the league and next host Nong Kai.  Nong Kai is 18th in the league with no wins.

Sakon Nakhon