Friday, June 26, 2015

Sunday afternoon: where are the kids

At the internet shop
Sakon Nakhon

Where is this year's rainy season

Drought crisis could knock down growth - The Nation

Thailand Drought headlines increase in frequency

Thailand Drought Not to Impact Rice Exports to Malaysia,
Oryza

Cargo transport a priority

China derails plan for high speed railway through Thailand opting for slower option
South China Morning Post

Tourism Numbers UP - Tourism Profits ???

Thailand Expects Record Tourist Arrivals This Year, Thanks to China
Khmer Times | News Portal Cambodia

"... Visitors from China are expected to be a record 7.45 million this year, up nearly 62 percent from 2014..."

The only time I want to be in a huge crowd, when on vacation, would be a sport event, or stage performance / concert, where things are somewhat organized.

I used to enjoy Thai beaches.  Now that beach chair and umbrella 'laws' have been enacted in many places, and jet skis continue to be a hassle.  The interest is waning. 

I expect these large crowds will bring in less revenue and may require increased 'administration' costs.

Training the media

Thai junta will coach journalists to ask questions that will 'not offend' Prime Minister 
| South China Morning Post

Sakon Nakhon is served by four flights per day ** from Bangkok There are no other commercial flights

Notable

Air Asia
  • first week of July, seat availability limited on some flights   


NOK Air
  • last week of June schedule changes 
  • **one additional daily flight beginning 1 July
2 flights per day

3 flights per day
Sakon Nakhon

Thursday, June 25, 2015

That's pretty much what I saw in 1966



Bangkok population   1960 1 1/2 million
Bangkok population today  over 8 million

Now is a good time to do maintenance on fans and air conditioners


Locally we experienced some above average temperatures through May and most of June.  Some were higher than anything experienced in the last decade.   
The last three days were a pleasant respite from the heat.  That is about to come to an end.

Temperatures rising 
Slow at first, by the start of the new week rising temperatures will become noticeable.  Mid thirties celsius, mid nineties fahrenheit.   
The feels like temperature should be topping off in the upper thirties celsius, slightly over 100 fahrenheit. (39 degrees Celsius = 312.15 degrees Kelvin)
Things may begin cooling down during the second week of July, but that's too far ahead to predict with any certainty 

June 24 
Pakistan heatwave: Death toll over 800 in Sindh - BBC News
"... If it heats up to 39-40C, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets in. At 40-41C heat exhaustion is likely - and above 41C the body starts to shut down. ..."


June 19
Japanese tourist dies hiking at Grand Canyon in hot weather | Reuters
"... Temperatures on the trail at the time exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) ..."

May 30
India heat wave tests water supply as deaths near 2,000 - Al Jazeera English
Sakon Nakhon   สกลนคร