Monday in the city

Stopped off at the 'Red Pig' On the way home, a river which I've seen overflowing is down to a trickle There usually is a lake next to an acient temple Normally the lake reaches up to the bush, except in the dry season On the way home I stumbles across the last five minutes of a football game I arrived home to find my pool occupied

Sakon Nakhon

A few unseasonable warm days... then cool nights

... it's time clean the cobwebs ... Wed  BBC 13 55.4  wunder 14 weather 14 TMD 19 MEO 15 Accu 15 Thu BBC 12 53.6 wunder 14 weather 14 TMD 18 MEO 16 Accu 14 Fri BBC 14 wunder 15 weather 15 TMD 18 MEO 16 Accu 13 Sat BBC 12  wunder 14 weather 14 TMD not listed MEO not listed Accu 13 Thursday heavy overcoat advisable, especially on motorcycle

Sakon Nakhon

Not much movement in December

Chart Maker

Lions and dragons invade Sakon Nakhon annually

Run for your lives, the lions are coming The lions approach the oranges or tangerines in a ritualistic dance.  It is an offering to them. After a bit of dancing, the oranges are devoured.   A financial reward is given to the lions, it's of course a donation to the temple. Next comes the ... Haven't figure out the meaning of this ritual. At the bottom is a man, then a teenager.  By the time you get to the top, there's a three year old.  They are surrounded by adults who act as catchers,  just in case something goes wrong. gif by http://gifmaker.me/ Then comes the exterminator, the dragon.  He enters the business to rid it of misfortune and to insure good (financial) fortune for the coming year Took him quite a long time doing his banking. My advice, don't dress up as a dragon when you go to the bank. It seems to really slow down customer service Lions also enter businesses for the same reason, probably looking for another donation

Sakon Nakhon

Bicycle trailer for three Passengers with extra pedal power

Sakon Nakhon

Hoverboards can be used as firestarters

Fire safety warning over hoverboards - CBBC Newsround   "...some of the hoverboards on sale could have parts which catch fire. Most likely suspect fire starters are the batteries.

Holiday Schedule

Thursday December 10 Constitution Day Banks closed	Friday December 11 Bike for Dad Chinese festival parade	Saturday Dec 12 Evening performance at the Chinese Temple
Thursday December 20 Apple's Christmas Dinner starts 3pm	Friday December 24  Tha Rae Star Light Parade	Saturday Dec 25  Red Pig Restaurant Christmas Dinner Sakon Star Light Parade

Add four degrees celsius for feels like temperatures

General consensus of a momentary warming trend  Graph maker Although Thai MD seems to forecast lower daytime temperatures than others, also forecasts higher nighttime temperatures Graph

Sakon Nakhon

HRH King's Birthday celebration in Sakon Nakhon

The word was out, parade starts at 4 pm from the city gate park. So why were they gathering at the local temple? Turns out, they split the parade into two segments, starting from two locations The city gate gathering began marching 5 pm. Timing was a bit late for the temple parade, there was about a 20 minute delay between parade arrivals at the provincial grounds.    Seemed to be one of those days no one knew for sure if alcohol sales were prohibited or not. Some bars were closed, others were not 5 pm, the parade is underway There wasn't really very much of a spectator crowd along the parade route, parade participants outnumbered spectators.  Even though most participants were really into the spirit of the parade and it's purpose, many seemed to be preoccupied texting or ordering pizza, or arranging a dinner date after the parade.  Did notice many local restaurants did brisk business after the parade.    Ah yes, early in the parade I saw a group of school girls looking in all directions to see if it was safe, then making their great escape (away from the parade).

Sakon Nakhon