191104 Why Expats are looking in other directions

Since January of this year I am getting 7,230.30 bath less per month
Since January 2003 I am gettin 39,358.5 baht less per month

Cool temperatures forecast this week

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Road to bus station to be repaired in part (not all)

Translated Facebook text: This road belongs to half a private. The other half belongs to the municipality (that has just been transferred). The Municipality has approved the budget to improve it. It is expected to start taking action soon.

The other half of that private. ... ... ... ...

Separate the side of som ho. It's going to be a bit good.

Pity the villagers

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When color does matter

Biggest mistake years ago was the kitchen countertop I selected. Tiny ants are hard to detect.  A light color should have been the obvious choice.
For some reason these tiny ants are using my water pot as a suicide plunge. 








I use a coffee filter when pouring hot water into my cup of instant coffee






Recently took a few days vacation from this blog, looks like reader did the same. 
Have spent more time on Facebook as that is the local favorite.  It was my 75th birthday. VACATION IS OVER


สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Feels like high today at the most 30C

Rain chance increases early afternoon, then subsides till evening hours. Most likely after 9pm and overnight)
Weather system approaching from the south may be minimal locally.

first image 6am

second image google earth

third image 8am

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Phu Phan Museum

Photo album:: 120619 Phu Phan Museum
Photo album:: 120926 Museum Opening

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Big win Football

The mistake I made was waking up at 3 am and not getting another nap. Three cups of coffee seemed to make things worse.  Two tall beers lessened the upset stomach, but also brought on a bit of sleepiness.

When I arrived at the Sanfun stadium I was greeted and offered access not offered to spectators. 

Been around Sakon City football long enough, so it came as no surprise that I recognized many people and  was frequently wai'ed. The song from Cheers started playing in my head "... where everybody knows your name ..."

BY halftime my favorite team was ahead 5 - 0.  Tiredness got the best of me, I handed the team some 'celebration funds' and made my departure wais.
Final score 7 - 1.

complete album Football at Sanfun
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Slight cooling trend

A few cooler days ahead till the scattered tropical rains likely Thursday thru Saturday

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

35 baht per apple = US$1.17

occasionally I treat my Thai friends

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

End of Daylight Savings Time

UK today October 27
US next Sunday November 3

I have alarms programmed to alert me to TV shows such as the evening news and a couple favorite serials I'll have to resent


สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Loi Kratong 2019

University will have their celebration (open to the public) on November 8

Sakon City celebrations on Monday November 11 at the lakeside park

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Drivers License renewal in Sakon Nakhon

Documents needed for renewal:

• drivers license
• document from Immigration Office (bring photograph when applying)
• copy of passport all pertinent pages
• doctor's certificate
• copy of housebook (main page)*
• copy of house owner's  identification card*

The earlier you arrive, the earlier you leave with your license in hand.  
I was missing two documents* and had to rush home.  By the time I returned I was last in the group.

I was sent upstairs to join a group.  There were two groups, one with a video, a second with an instructor talking nonstop.  I sat in the wrong group, the talker.  Didn't understand a word.

A monitor arrived after an hour and handed me my paperwork to proceed for the photographing and issuing of the license.

With only one camera in operation the waiting time was nearly two hours.  Remember I had the last number in the group.  To make it even more time consuming, there were two groups with identical numbers. My number 36 therefore was realistically 72.

If I would have had  all documents during my first visit I expect I would have been under number 20

I had left the house at 07:30 and arrived home at 12:12

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191024 Baht continues strengthening

My monthly transfer has seen 39,000 per month less since 2003การถ่ายโอนรายเดือนของฉันลดลง 39,000 ต่อเดือนนับตั้งแต่ปี 2546
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Tell me again "it's officially cold season"

 ... and remember that next wednesday and thursday



click on the image to see the forecast
look at the feels like graph
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Plenty of video available of the 2019 Wax Castle parade held on October 12

The Royal Longboat Races and the wax castle festival is not held on a fixed calendar date, rather during four days which end on the October full moon
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Cold Season officially begins next week if you consider 37C ( 98.6F) cold

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My main interest in photography is people

The night before the big parade the wax castles are assembled at the city fairgrounds for public display and judging. Seen this 17 times. I really don't go there for the wax castles these days. 

My main interest in photography is people. 

Won't attend today's parade. Can't get any better than the year I sat in the VIP section just a few feet near the governor and other dignitaries. I know it will be live on TV and most likely also on facebook. 

I still have a few hundred pictures to edit through from yesterday's events


สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Baht continues to strengthen

It's one of the reasons why I am contemplating joining the exodus




สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

191011 Thailand vs Congo Friendly 1-1 ⚽ Next World Cup Qualifier: Thailand vs UAE

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Baht remains major worry for the economy

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