Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Thailand Dangerous: Consider the source

Thailand  riskiest holiday destination according to a travel insurance company
"...Thailand accounted for 23 percent of travel insurance claims made in 2017..." thaivisa.com
All this article tells me for certain that people visiting Thailand have the foresight to have appropriate insurance for the holiday. Accidents do happen, even more so when travelers indulge in risky sports and other behaviors
Tourism supposedly is 9-12% of the Thai GDP. I suspect it's a lot more than that.


Thailand's roads are the most dangerous in the world
 Leave your expensive jewelry secured at home. Don't flash the cash in your wallet. Carry only cash for the day.  Make sure you pack plenty of common sense.  Choose streetfood with foresight. Hot freshly cooked or fruit which you can peel. Don't accept free food or drinks  while on the road
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

programed for disaster

Monday, June 18, 2018

Sewage trail discovered on the lake


These stories may not be related other than subject matter 'sewage'



Hospital waste treatment plant in operation (facebook)






 Been watching the early evening games live, some later games the next day on Teatime TV (2). The service price is right FREE
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Sunday, June 17, 2018

not much volatility recently

Recent changes in the exchange rates of Bank transfers of US$ to Thai Baht had been very minor.
Look at the chart right to left
first chart June


Second chart June + first banking day of previous 2018 months + January 2017


Business slow to recover in construction zone





The four lane road has been reduced to a two lane road in much of the construction area, plenty of parking
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

That sinking feeling

Sakon Nakhon FC loss 0-3 to Nong Bua Lamphu yesterday moved the team from 9th to 10th place. The absence of two red flagged players was quite obvious. 
Even though there were a few exciting moments, there was plenty of time to pursue other hobbies.

180617 Sakon FC hosts Nong Bua Lamphu
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สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Friday, June 15, 2018

Everybody knows ...

... where the foreigner lives. Part of my weight reduction program and hopefully better health is to take a walk every evening. I'm starting off slow. On my first day out of the hospital I took a quick 15 minute walk around the neighborhood. Today I doubled that to a half hour walk.  
One thing that has not changed in 15 years, people stop and offer to give me a ride home. It's a good feeling to receive the offers and everyone seems to understand "exercise."  
Even when I first arrived back in 2003 I was walking home from the night market and was offered a ride as a third person on a motorcycle at 2 am in the morning I offered to give instructions to my house, only to be told "never mind, everyone knows.' 
picture 2003

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

First morning back home and a parade passes by

Hans-Juergen Lenz

180615 Children Parade
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My opinion of these parades is that they do not give sufficient protection from the sun to parade participants



Seven days, six nights in the hospital

Was mainly treated for a intestinal infection, but also sought treatment for a long running ear infection. I'm listing some of the costs, as I have been asked  about these costs. Keep in mind that I stayed at the government hospital. Commercial hospital rates are much higher. Some time back I spent one night in a commercial hospital  and paid over 15,000

3 x rays  1,100
CT scan 12,000
Medication and hospital stay 12,718 (5 nights vip room 1,500 per night = 7,500)
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon