Praying to the weather gods

The center of Typhoon Ketsana headed south of us.
Sakon Nakhon received light continuous rains, cool temperatures and some moderate winds.
The center of the storm according to the news was in the Ubon vicinity, some 290 miles south.

Recent weather was cool and damp enough that I had no interest in watching any of the local boat races this year.

I intended on going there, but diverted to the Toon Army bar when the rains started getting heavy.

Weather also seemed to cause reduced crowds at the

Mukdahan night food market (Isaan Life video)

We did receive our invitation to the Wax Castle Parade on Saturday. Grandstand seating. I'm praying to the gods of thunder, wind, rain, and lightening that they stay home for the day.

The satellite image looks slightly cloudy for a few days.
Manila seems to be hit by another typhoon which apparently is comming this way.

The Longest Day: The Sakon Nakhon Version

It's the day before the action officially starts.
Sakon Nakhon is bustling with last minute activity.
At the lake they've cornered the last of the vegetation.

What they can't get by modern machines is done the old fashioned way

Boats are being launched at half hour intervals




With plenty of practice races under way




Building platforms for teams is still under way.
Think its a government job.
One guy does the work with three supervisors.

Of course there are plenty of local onlookers

Meanwhile action at the fair grounds is just as bustling

Even at the rescue center they were busy getting ready

I just love seeing Thai Fine Art

If you happen to be in the center of town, you see a continuous convoy of trucks bringing in bleachers and unloading them along the parade route.

What's really commendable it all seems so well organized. No traffic snarls, no tempers.
You can tell these people have been doing this all their life.

If you're headed for one of many festivities, raincoats may be recommended.
The uninvited guest Tropical Storm KETSANA is headed this way.
Let's hope she's all out of steam when she gets here

Sakon Nakhon Party Season has started

It's official. The rainy season ends with the upcoming full moon.
Party season can begin...
...already started.

Cloudy and drizzling rain have been around for the last ten days.
I do not mind that. It's cool and bearable.

Sunday the clouds parted. Warm, not hot. But warm enough for the pool.
Throw 300 baht in coins into the pool, and you have a capacity crowd

Sunday is also gardening day at my house. We harvested a type of gourds.
They are pretty much a weed. Grow into neighborhood trees, everywhere.
Taste best stir fried. We are giving away close to a dozen per week from one plant.
Three more plants are just starting out.

That's Joey watching Thai Pro Soccer. preparing two gourds.
Enough to feed six.

I took an evening trip with a stopover at "Toon Bar."
After a few drinks with a number of friends I decided to head to the provincial fair grounds.
The place was hopping: Live entertainment...

... and plenty of shopping.

click on picture for larger view

I brought home three bags of fried pork rinds (60 baht),
half a kilo freshly roasted chestnuts (120 baht),
and four bags of coconut candy (80 baht).

The most impressive sight of the evening was a seashell carving.

That's a big seashell.

This sale ends tomorrow. I'll be buying one of those big hats to keep the sun out.

Sakon Nakhon Legal Executions

The pitfalls of using online translation services

Please leave a comment if you can improve on the translation. I somewhat suspect it has something to do with documents, not people

Sakon Nakhon Royal Boat Races: . Sept 30 & Oct 1

Wednesday, September 30

Parade Starts approximately 9 a.m. followed by opening ceremony at Nong Hahn (#3) (boat parade route is indicated in blue).

Boat parade and peacock contest conclude the opening ceremonies.
Round 1 of the races start after the ceremonies.


Evening: OTOP sales, amusements, food fair, and concert at fair grounds (#2)

For a larger view double-click on map

The evening concert features PEE SADERD

Thursday, October 1

Boat races round 2 and 3 begin at 9 a.m.
Trophy ceremony in the afternoon

3 p.m. Practice main parade

Evening: OTOP sales, amusements, food fair, and concert at fair grounds

The evening concert features Punch

Revving up

I received this years poster a week ago
I now have the posters for the last six years.

At local schools, government offices and villages, everyone is rehearsing for the big parade.

A parade dress rehearsal is scheduled for 3 p.m., October 1. It's a great photo opportunity for daytime pictures. You can see it on the main street near the provincial offices.

Of course you can already get a sneak preview of floats and wax castles at most temples. Many wax castles were completed a week ago. The earliest preparations I have seen.

Stopped by the local Toon Army bar to wish the owner, Graham, a happy birthday. He celebrated with a party last Saturday, and says: "It was a huge success. We had around 70 people, so it was great fun."
Sorry I missed that celebration due to health reasons.