No serious drought this year! Seriously

If you're in the mood to reminiscence the flood of 2017, check out some of the recent uploads by sakonguide. There's also some videoes dating back to the year 2559. Today, the second Saturday of the month, is Children day in Thailand, and of course the second day of the Red Cross Fair.     Attendance to these events for me it's still a maybe or maybe not. I'll probably take a hot pad on my chest and rest some more. Took a short cruise on my motorcycle last evening, just to get out of the house.  Discovered real quick to keep the chill off my chest. I am starting to get accustomed to the cooler temperatures. Things should warm up a bit by midweek.

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Let the sun shine in

Been fighting a nasty throat infection, which more recently expanded into my chest. Antibiotics no longer work their magic for me, so I have had to ride it out with some anti inflammation  medication.   Lots of bedrest, tv, movies and a bit of reminiscence through my photo albums January 2011 Cold, colder, coldest.  May be today or tomorrow, depends which weather service you are following. Today real feel  high 76, real feel overnight 49. Continued chilly through Sunday.    Red Cross fair starts today. If I feel energized enough I may visit the fair mid afternoon. For the moment health concerns may limit my travels.

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Eat it raw

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Morning Dew

Enjoy the day. The feels like 38 C, actual high 33C.  Tuesday's high and feels like 25C.  Don't expect any more temperatures above 30 til next week

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Canberra

Fourteen days since my last cigarette

It was not as bad as expected.  I did not bite anyone's head off. Gained 3 kilo (x2.2 = 6.6 lb).  I'm not considering any diet, no weight reduction. But I will consider more healthy snacks.  There is still an argument whether chocolate is a fruit or vegetable.  Either way it remains on my healthy diet list.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Red Cross Fair 2018

Admittance during the afternoon hours has been free over the past 15 Red Cross Fairs I have attended. It's generally a time when school age kids visit the fair.  Admittance is charged beginning around 5 pm.   There's always plenty to see and do from art to gardening, agriculture, dining, motorcycles, cars, furniture, pets, concerts, and a lot more.            Of course one of my favorites has always been the (air) rifle range    A favorite of mine, bumper cars, disappeared from the fair many years ago   They placed a table for me next to the ride where I could sit down and drink a beer.  That's because I bought books of tickets and gave away free tickets It's the tenth Red Cross fair here in Sakon Nakhon, since alcohol was banned with one exception

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Pool Weather Weekend

Feels like temperatures may reach up to 38C between now and Monday.  Might be a good time to wash those blankets which you will be needing again by Tuesday.  Night time lows may dip into the lower teens.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Another New Year

Visited a few friends on New Year Eve, had two beers and was home in bed by 8pm.  Briefly woke up at midnight, but only briefly.  Monday, sore throat and slight fever, started watching Fox News an hour before the New York New Year celebration (noon local time). Live music made for a pleasant celebration.   Meanwhile CNN seemed to resuscitate their falling viewership with  a hemp report
The Sakon Nakhon countdown seemed to have been a last minute thought by someone in tourism.  First spotted the advertisement a day after Christmas, being promoted as a two day event From the looks of things attendance was not what was hoped for. From what I saw, local traffic was quite light.  Most folk celebrated in their own neighborhoods and avoided the breathalyzers on the road.

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Hey Brad

Sakon Nakhon is a one hour flight from Bangkok. Ten hours by bus. It's a one hour drive to the Mekong river and the Lao border.

I can make some travel suggestions once I know the 'when & how many days.'  High season avoid massive tourist buses. Huge crowds and waiting in line is not my favorite tourist activity.  In Bangkok I'd suggest a 1,000 baht per day hotel near Patpong, take a canal tour, visit the palace, Wat Arun, and watch  kickboxing,and see a cabaret show and of course walk through Patpong.

I do recommend checking vaccinations. Not required, but I do recommend hepatitis vaccinations. 

High season prices tend to rise. Thai friend of mine in Bangkok is a driver for hire. in case you're interested, he can help you with planning etc

Not a big fan of Phuket. Overcrowded, I'd choose a less popular, yet serene destination 

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Miss you

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

171230 Happy New Year everyone

Phu Phan cup winner this year is Sakon Nakhon A (Sakon Nakhon City).  The trophy remains within the province for the second year in a yow.  Last year's winner was Sakon Nakhon B (Sawang Daen Din). 17 provinces participated this year.   Unfortunately I could not attend that game due to personal reasons (more on that later).
Once again there's a major weather alert for cold weather.  That is if you consider 11 C  51F cold.  Again TMC stands alone in forecasting such cold temperatures.
Plenty of Thais are on the roads to be home for the New Year Holidays.  An increase of accidents has been reported on the highways through the phu phan mountains (facebook link)
New Years Countdown has been announced to take place at the provincial grounds (across the street from the police station) with food, music and fireworks. I wonder it the rule "no alcohol in public places" will be enforced or set aside for the occasion Personally I prefer to stay within staggering distance of my bed and have invitations for just such an occasion.
It's Saturday.   One week ago today 10 am I had my last cigarette.  To make things even worse I also went cold turkey on a shitload of medications. Been measuring my blood pressure, which was a bit high when I started, but since has dropped quite drastically.  Even recorded a 115 yesterday, 125-130 on average.
Of course I had to limit my activities somewhat yesterday due to withdrawal symptoms.  Missed out on watching the ball game yesterday.  Did get a few hundred pictures of a parade early in the morning.  Plenty of likes and new friends on facebook. Click on image to see the album    And then of course I attended an afternoon funeral ceremony.  It was a bit more than usual heartbreaking for me, really dear friends.  The mother had suffered for a long time of breast cancer, with chemo treatments and even recent surgery.

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Sakon A (Sakon City) challenges Roi Et for The 2017 Phu Phan Cup, Thursday, 28 December

Game time 3 pm It's bound to be an exciting game as both teams have won all their recent games.  The stadium has been quite crowded this year for all games. It's going to be a capacity crowd. album

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Phu Phan Cup today's winners and loosers

In the first game this afternoon here in Sakon City. Buriram lost against Udon. I arrived at the start of the second half.  I was told  the goal was self inflicted. In a game at Sawang Daen Din. Sakon B lost against Nong Kai in a shootout. Sakon Nakhon A won against Sisaket.  I had seen Sisaket play last week  I anticipated a win. Sakon A next plays Tuesday 5 pm.  No games are scheduled on Monday, Christmas day.

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Presents are exchanged on New Years Eve and Day

Christmas is not a national holiday in Thailand, even though you will hear plenty of Christmas music and see decorations. There are some Catholic Thais (less than 1% of the population) who celebrate the event with their friends. One has to keep in mind that Thais use any occasion to have a party.  Gift exchange is not as important during the Christmas days. Gifts are generally exchanged during New Year celebrations.    "In the lead up to 31st of December, Thai people often exchange gifts and cards. " Many Thais will travel home for the holidays, but it's not an exodus like you see for the Thai New Year, April 13 (Songkran).

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Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Fair Nightly Concerts 26 December through 1 January

These video clips are samples of previous performances of the acts scheduled during the fair 26 December 27 December 28 December 29 December 30 December 31 December 1 January

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My things to do list

22 Dec. Friday afternoon 3 pm Phu Phan Cup Sakon A vs ?  23 Dec. Saturday Tha Rae Star light parade starts around sunset. Plenty of other things to see and experience 25 Dec. Monday Sakon City Starlight parade  26 Dec. Tuesday Temple fair begins at Phra That Choeng Chum, though New Years Day Red Cross Fair begins January 12

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In case you missed the performance

Video by สมทัด สรรพโส for STV

The event begins each year on December 11 and is generally up to  a 6 day celebration

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Day and night temperatures remain cool

TMD forecast differs greatly from other forecasters for the next two days, especially the nighttime temperatures

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Double header Football

Was an exciting and entertaining afternoon and early evening.  The Sakon A- Udon  game was scoreless till the final minutes of the game.  Udon scored first, less than two minutes later Sakon A evened the score. The game was decided in a penalty shootout

171220 Phu Phan Cup Sakon A vs Udon 90 View album The losers of the Sisaket - Kalasin game desperately need to replace their goalkeeper or just provide him with a hammock so he can nap in comfort

171220 Sisaket vs Kalasin 45 View album Next Sakon A game Friday 3 pm

Most likely Second Week of February

I was asked when the Sakon Nakhon Muangthai Football season begins

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