Will santa be nice?

November Bank Transfer US$ to THB with first of the year for comparison

New SIM card purchases will require customer's fingerprint registration

Present active sim cards are exempt from this new regulation (for now).  Traveling to Thailand and using your mobile phone sim card from your home country can get very expensive very quickly, into the thousands $ of  roaming fees.    Best alternative is purchasing a Thai tourist sim card. They are reasonably priced.    Don't be surprised though if you are asked for your fingerprint.  All vendors have been told to have the system in place by February 2017.  Some vendors may have the system functioning before the deadline

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Don't stop drinking, get an oil massage

Thailand cold season may seem like spring weather to other parts of the world. The fairly sudden drop of temperatures from around 115 to 60 has to be considered. Vitamin rich foods help ease getting used to the sudden change and avoid sore throat and runny nose.    Less humidity, less sweating, hotter showers is a cause for dry skin and a very legitimate excuse for an oil massage. Don't stop drinking. Cooler temperatures may also cause less water drinking. Water is the body's lubricant. Not enough water and muscles tend to get sore.  Most leg cramps can be avoided by keeping up hydration. Smoke inhalation and fire hazards are something to keep in mind as more people light fires not just for cooking but also to keep warm.

Sakon Nakhon

Must be all those free visas that keeps em coming?

For some reason I think it's smoke and mirrors.  Just days ago headlines read tourism took a sharp decline when the 'no money' tours were halted In Thailand, expectations soar as Russian recovery gains speed TTG Asia  Thailand on track to meet visitor targets thanks to quality tourism growth

Sakon Nakhon

Training for Phu Phan Cup 35, 2016 and future greats

Didn't stay for the entire game, a cool wind whistled through the stands for which I had not properly prepared.  Too early to tell if the Phu Phan Cup will find a resting place in Sakon Nakhon this year. The action seemed a lot more intense before this match when teen ball players had the use of the field

Sakon Nakhon

It's gonna get tough er

Myanmar makes Suzuki Cup semi-final  Bangkok Post Dec 4 Thailand at Myanmar (Yangon) Dec 8 Myanmar at Thailand (Bangkok) Thailand  3 wins 0 draw 0 loss   Myanmar 2 wins 0 draw 1 loss If Thailand advances to the finals, the challenge most likely will be Vietnam   3 wins 0 draw 0 loss  Thai coach wary of slick Myanmar   Bangkok Post

A bit remodeling going on at Apples

Thin crust pizza remodeled from thicker crust The restaurant is also expanding.

Sakon Nakhon

Expect mid to upper teen overnight temperatures for the week

Seen on my thermometer early this morning

Sakon Nakhon