No Songkran Parade this year in Sakon City

So much for my tourism plans, save some money

Sakon Nakhon

Get ready, waterproof mobile bag, glasses or googles, hand towels, waterproof camera...

NOTE: Information regarding a songkran parade may have been incorrect.  At this time I have not confirmed whether there will, or will not be a parade. Tha Rae Easter parade is also unconfirmed
All forms of powder use during songkran for merrymaking is outlawed.  Obviously there will be some "who didn't get the word." Eye protection for motorcyclists is advised
If the road is wet, slow down, prepare to stop, anticipate getting water thrown at you  NO More than six people in the back of a pickup

Sakon Nakhon

Sakon FC climbing

Quite frankly I wasn't expecting a win at Sunday afternoon's game with Chaiyaphum . But with their recent success I did cross my fingers, hoping for a draw. Temperature and humidity was very high.  I kept comfortable with a wet iced towel draped over my head and neck.  Looked like a nun's habit, probably a bit strange looking, but it sure kept me comfortable. I anticipated correctly that this was going to be an exciting game.  It was. Sakon goalkeeper Sunjundaj stopped more than half a dozen attempts at his goal. Refereeing was ALMOST PERFECT.  One yellow card seemed to be a very bad call, the entire stadium let him know by booing. No goals scored by either team.  While Chaiyaphum slipped in the standings from third to fourth in the league, Sakon Nakhon went one step up to tenth in the league of twelve. Click on image for full view   Sakon FC next hosts Loi City on Wednesday, 19 April. Loi City this weekend moved into third position.  The first leg of the 2017 season ends with Sakon Nakhon taking a trip to Buriram.

Sakon Nakhon

Baht strengthening

HOT AND HUMID day and night Really hot and wet Wednesday

Sakon Nakhon

Attention . . . . . Attention . . . . . tell me WHEN, . . . . tell me WHERE . . . . . PLEASE

Rocket Festival underway in Waritchaphum Waritchaphum is a one hour drive from Sakon City Attended my first Bun Bang Fai in June of 2003     The winner is the person or persons whose parachute stays airborne the longest. The origins of the festival are obscured in history, it is generally agreed that the event has been celebrated since ancient times. There are three main versions to the Bun Bang Fai legend. One has it that the rain god Vassakan loved to be worshiped with fire.Villagers shot rockets into heaven in hopes that he would bless them with plenty rain needed for rice cultivation. A second version is that the rain god Vassakan would be sleeping during this time of the year (hot season) . Villagers would shoot rockets to awaken him to begin the rainy season. A third version claims the event as being a fertility rite, shooting phallic symbols (rockets) into the sky in hopes of fertilizing the land. The celebration is held mostly in North Eastern Thailand and Laos and is a mix of spiritual and religious beliefs, with plenty of modern day entertainment. Dates for the festivities vary throughout the area Some festivals are held as early as April, and as late as July during the dry and hot season. Religious ceremonies, parades and a variety of merit making are part of the celebrations. There are other activities in most Bang Fai Celebrations, including parades, fair, and concerts. A Word of Caution In 2009 a rocket misfired and decapitated a spectator, whose head was found after some searching, in a nearby creek

Sakon Nakhon

No Drinking in Public and more no's for the holidays

1:08 The military draft theater is over for another season. Red card you're in, black card, go home. The whole event turns into a comedy when the   ladyboys prance on stage. Many are offended to be ridiculed in public, while others use the event to strut their stuff. Danish physiotherapists Mie Jensen and Nanna Riis Madsen have spent the past three months doing volunteer work and live at the Danish Raindrop Foundation Handicap Project in Sakon Nakhon The government has announced further restrictions on Songkran activities, many of which may well be ignored ?!? "...  loud music and dancing on the back of pickup trucks will be prohibited." no huge water guns; no alcoholic drinks; no powder; no over-exposure dress and no excessive use of water.  There's no low season on roadway mayhem So the bunny learned to herd... Does he do windows? Still slightly under the weather, I did sneak out of the house to visit a birthday party for a short period View Album

Sakon Nak    hon

Some things are better not said or written, cause that creates problems

During my early school years, year after year, my report cards repeatedly read: "DAYDREAMS TOO MUCH." Corporal punishment with a bamboo cane on my palm or bare ass for inattention was frequently.  I missed out on the Attention Deficiency Medication issued a few decades later to anyone not paying attention to a boring lecture. Age 7, living in an orphanage, I was promoted to bedtime storyteller for the toddler bedroom.  I had a wild fantasy, or maybe I was just talking them to sleep. Daydreaming is an escape from reality.  Daydreaming the same dream too often is unhealthy.  Your subconscious mind may make it come true. Some dreams are worth repeating.  For me it was a repeated dream I had in the early 1960's. Here I want to retire! Here I am fifty years later. Thailand.  There are great benefits.  On your daydream you can do anything, get away with anything. Never get punished, unless that's your dream. Of course there is a problem: Recognizing the difference between imagination and reality. Keeping them appart. A song which I had to memorize back in school in the early 1950's in Germany: "Die Gedanken sind frei" "The Thoughts are free." the song is from the 1840's.  Video has English subtitles Full text translated at wikipedia   The great thing about fantasy is there's no age restriction.

Sakon Nakhon

Thai New Year ahead, stay safe

Feels like temperatures over Songkran (Apr 13, 14, 15)   43 to 45 C   109 -113 F Stray thunderstorms
Now there’s an app for Songkran fun too  THE NATION Next week I'd recommend avoiding traveling long distances on major highways if it's possible.   Songkran  compares to Thanksgiving or Christmas in the west. Folks are coming from all over the world for family reunions. A few of the local flights over the holidays are booked solid both coming and going.   Of course I am anticipating seeing friends I have not seen in a year or more. Haven't seen any announcement postings regarding local activities, which is not unusual.
Appears I have a strep throat and snivels most likely caused by too much air conditioning and fans overnight.  A few days ago I passed out and hit my head on a cabinet. Have been drinking honey and taking other medications.  Not quite back to health as of yet, but feel a lot better.  Sure hope my health will be back to normal in time for the holidays.

Sakon Nakhon

Postponed

Sakon Nakhon