Slept through the start of theNew Year

Fireworks this year here in Sakon Nakhon were 'almost' nonexistent. A few could be heard, almost hours apart on new year's eve day.  Heard just a few fireworks throughout the evening. Spent the early evening with friends and was asleep by 9:30 pm. Normally I would wake up at midnight because of the fireworks, not so this year.   The no fireworks rule imposed by the government was mostly observed. Personally I don't mind and neither does my dog, but it's got to be a financial pain for the fireworks industry.    Many of these restrictions will continue until the 100 day mourning period ends, around January 22.  However there is also the 1 year mourning period during which further restrictions may apply

Sakon Nakhon

Entries into Thailand by land crossings limited to twice a year, flight arrivals not affected

any idea when the Red Cross Fair is? Not this year

Generally happens late January to early February. My source informs me. No Red Cross It is served in the King's death. Filling in the 100-day mourning. Until the funeral During the 100-day mourning According to my calculations the 100 day mourning period ends around January 22 . Official start of mourning period was declared on October 14. You could classify The Red Cross Fair as a domestic family tourism event  It's usually the last event of the season when chestnuts are sold at fairs

Sakon Nakhon

Phra That Choeng Chum Temple Fair Jan 6 - 12 with some preview days

The regular weekend street fair happens every Saturday and Sunday. It's going to be bigger than normal this weekend.  The temple is already setting up for the fair which begins next weekend.    Many shops are already open for business.  I seriously doubt that any will shut down for a week till the fair starts.  Parking is going to be at a premium.  Highly recommend vehicles park at the rear entrance to the temple, the waterfront park

Sakon Nakhon

Phu Phan cup winners Sakon Nakhon B ( Sawang Daen Din FC )

With one section of seating blocked off by large posters, there wasn't enough seating for everyone. entrances and stairways were blocked by people sitting and standing.  Gave me some safety concerns.    A large number of students appear to have been ordered to attend.  Large groups departed after the halftime show concluded and departed in village buses.  Halftime show is always a bit of eyecandy Plenty of traffic slowdowns, worse than rush hour after the game

Sakon Nakhon

Funny an strange

Trophy Game today Phu Phan Cup Sakon B vs Udon

Received this picture in reply to  "when's the next game?" Jom at Apples helped with the translation.   "Sakon Nakhon B vs Udon, 2pm at airport road field." I had to sleep on it overnight to realize it must be the final game of Phu Phan Cup 35 Dec 19 -  29. If past years are any indication there'll also be some pomp (ceremony, spectacle) -

Sakon Nakhon

Apples year end celebration, Friday, 30 December

Adrian G Schat  This Friday evening buffet. We will be serving oven Roasted Ribeye and Pork Loin, Shrimp Scampi, Homemade Mashed Potatoes with Gravy sauce, mixed Vegetables, Caesar Salad with crisp Bacon and our own Croutons, Jom's new creamy smooth combination of salmon, shrimp , white fish , topped with mashed potato pie, and Jom's Thai food of course and dessert All for 395 Baht. (Will prepare enough for 30 to 35 servings .) Buffet starts at 19:00 You are all invited.

Sakon Nakhon

The stripe' rs, you know those guys who paint the stripes

Sakon Nakhon

To some of us it feels cool

Coldest night of this coldspell tonight, 11 to 14C, 51 to 57F A few cool nights and by next midweek overnight temperatures may be 20 - 21C, 68  - 70F.  Temperatures appear to be doing a wave up and down. Daytime temperatures warm up day after New Year 33 - 34C, 91 - 93F. Thailand weather: be prepared for a cool new year celebration
Mobile Phone security is still a big topic in the media.  Bank accounts, SSN, everything is susceptible to hacking. Extreme measures suggest you copy information you want to keep, such as phone numbers, to an external device, then reset your phone to to factory settings and delete all data When disposing or selling your phone remove all memory cards

Sakon Nakhon

Phu Phan Cup Game Highlights 26 December

The opponent was tough. Both goalkeepers were kept quite busy as the game moved back and forth quite rapidly. The game ended in a draw. Penalty kicks decided the winner

Sakon Nakhon

Who do ya call ? The snake catchers

Bob Wilson sent me these pictures and comment Two O'clock this afternoon this Cobra decided to pay us a visit and tried to get into our house. My wife had to phone city hall to get the snake catchers to come and do their thing As land is being cleared, trees and bushes cut down, the wildlife residing in those areas seek new shelters and sources of food. Other scenes from Mister Bob's wildlife reserve 2005

Sakon Nakhon

Free WiFi at public places 'Risky Business'

Public WiFi Risks and what you can do about it Kaspersky Most people unaware of the risks of using public Wi-Fi cnbc

Sakon Nakhon

A Christmas Story

Christmas Day was an 'under the weather day.' Bla feeling.  Probably because the previous day I had stayed up 20 hours followed by 5 hours sleep Fixed salmon for lunch, but it's in the refrigerator.  The only thing I could eat all day was a bowl of rice with gravy. Took some vitamins and drank lots of water. When I stepped out of the house I was greeted by an uninvited guest cowering in the corner.  Almost pleading eyes. Sprayed it with the garden hose. Somewhat reluctantly the rat made it's way under the walkin gate. A few hours later the rat was back. Again I chased it away with the garden hose. Since then a ladder blocks the space under the walkway. Will have to install some wire mesh under the walkin gate. Installed wire mesh under the main gate last year when somebody in the neighborhood raised cats for sale and kittens kept getting lost in my yard Dozed on and off most of the day, a bit of TV, brief facebook visit.  With quite a few visitors during the day  Let's just say I donated 15 k to Thai friends over 2 Christmas holidays. Fat Boy also seemed a bit under the weather for part of the day. Half my salmon dinner revived him.  Alvin was busy collecting tissues and plastic bags, wanting to build a new nest in the windowsill.  Feeling better this morning. Football and beer and popcorn this afternoon

Team Sakon 'A" 2 games played - 2 wins : : can they do it again?

Sakon Nakhon

OTOP Fair 25 - 28 Dec

next to Phra That Choeng Chum

Sakon Nakhon

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

Televised on ABC "Disney Christmas Parade"  10pm to midnight (GMT+7) Available at   USTV NOW  you can access the programming free once you register
Weather  Enjoy the Miami type weather for two more days.    The drop of temperatures will be mostly noted by locals.  Visitors will consider it ideal. Daytime highs may reach anywhere from 23 to 27 C  (74 to 80 F) Nighttime lows could go as low as 11 to 13 C (52 to 55 F) There may well be 'scattered' showers on New Year Day. Phu Phan Cup 35 Saturday, Dec 24   Sakon 'A" 3  : : : Surin 1

Sakon Nakhon

Three options to consider today

Apples Pizza Christmas RSVP event But I bet you won't get turned away on Christmas Eve
Phu Phan Cup  Football starts 5 pm  Team Sakon Nakhon  A  Airport Road
Tonight is your last chance to experience a  Tha Rae Christmas
Air out your blankets for Boxing day 2017, overnight low teens (low fifties)

Sakon Nakhon

Mine's 12 inches

Yeah they come in many sizes.    Jumbo is anything over 16 inches.  Large can be defined as anything from 10 to 16 inches.    Some people consider 12 inches to be small.  Of course we are talking pizza sizes, what did you think.    When you compare pizza prices you have to consider how large is large.  Is it a 10 inch large or a 12 inch large

Holiday countdown to road carnage

2,300 throughout the entire country seems a bit low.