any individual coming to the United States must show a negative pre-departure COVID-19 viral test taken the day before they board their flight to the United States

----- Forwarded Message -----

Location:  Thailand 

 

Event:  On December 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement a one-day COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers over age two coming to the United States.  Regardless of vaccination status or nationality, any individual coming to the United States must show a negative pre-departure COVID-19 viral test taken the day before they board their flight to the United States.  You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. 

 

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight's departure from a foreign country, and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel). 

 

These requirements are for all air passengers two years of age or older boarding a flight from a foreign country to the United States. 

Christmas in Tha Rae ans Sakon City

 

22 December, The first water parade at Tha Rae 

23 December, Big Star Parade in Ban Tha Rae 

24 December, Mobile Star Parade at Ban Tha Rae 

25 December Big Star Parade in Sakon Nakhon City

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Phu Thai dance and ancient lam muay (Peacock Tail Dance)

Wax Castle celebration this year was a one temple show, rather than entries by a number of local temples.  

Can  only hope that the celebrations will return to more historic momentum which included the two day event of royal boat races.  

Wax Castle celebration is usually held for four or more days and concludes with the October full moon ( next October 9, 2022 ).

   

my version of 'dark humor'

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

One of my favorite Sakon Nakhon Happenings: “the Grand Dragon parade"

For years now I've been at the starting gate at 6 a.m.,
every December 11. Health willing, I won't miss out this year.

The celebration really needs to be on the T.A.T. calendar

The morning parade gets things going, then there are exhibits and auctions of fine art pieces. An early evening trip to the temple to see the performances is well worth it.

The temple addition is still under construction and won't be part of this year's celebrations

For more information click the Label link below

↓

  กลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Couple interesting video uploads worth looking at

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

US$ to Thai ฿ exchange rate

For a different perspective 

I added the 'first bank day of this year: January 4, 2021' 

in the second chart

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

U.S. citizens update your information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: "alertsbkk@state.gov" 

Subject:  Enroll in or update your information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Location:  Thailand

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai are conducting an annual verification of STEP enrollments.  Please log in to your STEP account via https://step.state.gov/STEP/pages/common/SignIn.aspx to verify that your profile, phone numbers, email address, travel dates, and location in Thailand are up-to-date.   For answers to frequently asked questions or for technical assistance please see https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/FAQ.aspx. 

If you are visiting or living in Thailand, and have not yet enrolled in STEP, we strongly encourage you to do so!  STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to register their travel plans with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  It generally takes less than five minutes to sign up and you can do so via https://step.state.gov.

Benefits of Enrolling in STEP:

Cool temperatures arriving from the northeast

"Feels like" and "real temperatures" have merged, 

most likely an indication of low humidity.

Daytime temperatures are expected to peak at 27 C (80.6 F)

                                                                          (12 C = 53.6 F)

 F F)สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon