tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79912044051254848872012-02-03T05:51:41.744+07:00Isaan LifeIsaan Thailand experience the people. places and events in Northeast Thailand
contact us mekhongmud@gmail.comtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.comBlogger12741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-12495145710058512202012-02-03T05:51:00.003+07:002012-02-03T05:51:41.839+07:00Wat Goh Seeuy Khaet, Nong Khai วัดโกเสยเขตThe Culture Center at khon kaen university got this one pretty much spot on. The whole temple complex is pretty much not maintained. I have visited the temple oer the years and each time can see it fall apart just a bit more. Even the new Ubosot is not clean. Why the Center included this temple is beyond me. As I posted earlier I can find no logic in the 81 Temples in Isaan that they have listedtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-58913075408603582722012-02-02T06:55:00.002+07:002012-02-02T06:55:54.960+07:00Wat Yod Kaeo, Vieng Khuk, Nong Khai, ThailandSome of the contents of this temple are more than 500 years old, and as you can see substantial.
I have found them listed NOWHERE. They are not listed by the province in it's list of interesting sites, not listed by khon kaen university as culturally significant and certainly not listed by the Tourism authority of Thailand.
I am finding that the 81 temples listed by the Culture Arts Center at tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-35126566493910915522012-02-01T11:18:00.000+07:002012-02-01T11:18:03.431+07:00Wat Pa Ban Tad, Luangta Maha Bua 30.01.12 A closing albumI arrived at Wat Pa Ban Tad to document the 1 year observance of the death of Luanta Maha Boowa at about 0500 0n the 30th of January 2012 and left shortly before 0900. I shot a few videos 1 already online and 1 post documenting the morning alms giving. This album will give you a good idea of who was there and what went on that morning.
In the future I will produce an e-publication with photos andtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-32584232110026235232012-01-31T13:44:00.000+07:002012-01-31T13:44:35.126+07:00Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai Updates 31.01.12On my way to Wat Pa Ban Tad in Udon I stopped at Dong Muang Aem Ancient Town Dong Mueang Aem, Khao Suan Kwang Khon Kaen 40280, Thailand. I will post about the place at a later date. If anyone has been there when the museum was open please let me know as it apparently closed on weekends, or maybe permanentlyYou can read my Ban Tad posts from the events of the 30th and still more to come.Later on tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-18437140570297827442012-01-31T07:50:00.000+07:002012-01-31T09:34:30.413+07:00Offering alms to the monks 30.01.12 crowds and monks at wat pa ban tadWhen I stopped out Sunday at Ban Tad the monks I spoke with had no idea what was going to happen Monday the 30th, but mentioned the size of the crowd there for alms round that morning. I noticed the large number of people who were camping out and the numbers of monks arriving.
I got back to Wat Pa Ban Tad just after 0500 on the anniversary of Luangta Maha Boowa's death and the line of cars and tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-4355712303871029962012-01-30T12:32:00.000+07:002012-01-30T12:32:25.699+07:00Observing the 1 year anniversary of the death of Luangta Maha Bua 8 preceptsPeople started arriving about 0500, but there was already a fair sized group of people who had spent the night at Wat Pa Ban Tad to be there at the precise time of his death at 0353.
The day officially began with the chanting of the 8 precepts.
heard while I walk around the crowd
1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-3998257956335449292012-01-30T03:00:00.003+07:002012-01-30T03:00:49.275+07:00Wat Pa Ban Tad, Sunday 29.01
I had slept in Sunday morning and had not planned on getting to Ban Tad early. Getting out of Khon Kaen was a nightmare as the marathon was going on and Thai police were out directing traffic (read making matters worse. After 45 minutes of roadblocks a sitting in unmoving lines I finally got outside the ring road and heading north, just what I needed after 2 days of birthday celebration. I tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-65235571722669176102012-01-28T13:57:00.000+07:002012-01-28T13:57:49.041+07:00Okay I've had it in Thailand, Happy Birthday to mea friggin fine day for your friggin boycott of twitter. Its my Birthday and none of you plonkers has sent me a birthday greeting. And you all are there watching your time lines anyhow? Quit whining! Get a life!
so you want to find a toilet in thailand and all you can find is a friggin
Get a grip shit happens. So who do you think is gonna win this discusion. Last I heard everyone left tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-26694569814488466712012-01-27T09:07:00.001+07:002012-01-27T09:07:20.655+07:0012 Buddhist Traditions Northeast Thailand Isaan Month 3Duan sam, bun khao chi (third lunar month : making merit by offering roast glutinous rice to monks) Roast glutinous rice balls with unrefined cane sugar inside andsalt and egg outside are brought to the preaching hall by villarers. While monks are saying prayers, the villagers put rice balls into almsbowls. After having meal, monks bless and then some monks preach on several topics all tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-65534673432589484282012-01-26T07:04:00.000+07:002012-01-26T07:04:19.615+07:00Art of Drawing ไพโรจน์ สโมสร Pairot Samosorn Sketches 1Pairote Samosorn was born in 1939 and died in 2008. From 1971 till his retirement in 1999 he was a lecturer at Khon Kaen University. He authored a book titled "E-sarn Mural Paintings" 1989 (305 pages)Printed by Khon Kaen University. The book was a research Project funded by the Toyota Foundation Japan. The English section of the book begins on page 249 till the end. I have asked if the English tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-43443601442335662662012-01-25T07:01:00.002+07:002012-01-25T07:07:50.380+07:00Prize Winners at the 57th National Exhibition of Art ThailandThe previous post for this exhibition was posted on 23 January 2012 and contained the "Artists of Distinction and Media Winners". The photos in today's album include the Prize Winning Entries in Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts and click on the up arrow in the lower right hand corner of the album to view full screen
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-64225022831855034842012-01-24T09:33:00.000+07:002012-01-24T09:33:11.129+07:00An Investigation of the Buddhist Murals of Isaan Thailand วัดสนวนวารีพัฒนาราม wat sanuanwareepatanaram"Wat Sanuanpatanaram", formerly known as Wat Ban Huanong, was founded on 15 August 1867.The Ubosot or sim (ordination hall) was built in 1923 with an influence of Vietnamese craftsmanship. It houses a
Buddha image in the attitude of subdoing Mara.The building measures 5 meters wide and 7.3 meters long There are
eight set of 3 boundary stones facing different cardinal stones (I only saw 2 sets tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-58918552419294238452012-01-23T18:27:00.001+07:002012-01-23T18:27:52.320+07:00This is beautiful, on Beung Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen, Isaan, Thailand,This is one of my favorite an most beutifulist Isaan Moments at beung kaen nakhon in khon kaen, thailand, isaan
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-55144806311432826552012-01-23T14:52:00.000+07:002012-01-23T15:51:53.982+07:00I get around Isaan Thailand 23.01.12The first update is the coffee shop next to the E-sarn Cultural Center at khon kaen univeristy. Nice shady spot if you are waiting for an exhibit to open or as a break between exhibits. Remeber the upstairs museum is open at 0900 work days, Monday to Friday, not holidays, while the main exhibit hall opens at 1000 7 days a week.
Next Ban Khao Suan Kwang home to a special Gai Yahng recipe (BBQ tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-7210791171865366362012-01-23T11:03:00.001+07:002012-01-23T11:03:57.399+07:00wat sanuanwaree patanaram, Ban Hua Long, Ban Phai, Khon Kaen, video 23.01.12, วัดสนวนวารีพัฒนารามwat sanuanwaree patanaram aka wat suan waree, วัดสนวนวารีพัฒนาราม and if you look at the thai, it seems it should be wat sohn wohn waa ree phat naa raam. Whatever the case this was one of the temples surveyed by Pairote Samosorn in his book "E-sarn Mural Paintings" and in 2010 in "Buddhist Murals of Northeast Thailand"
I started find these murals around Isaan and have been trying to get some tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-15219002440410763982012-01-23T04:58:00.000+07:002012-01-23T04:58:04.912+07:00Thailand 57th National Exhibition of Art at khon kaen universityWhile visiting the E-sarn Cultural Center I was also given the catalog for the 57th National Exhibition of Art which is travelling around the Kingdom. In this first albumwe see "artists of Distinction" and "Medal Winners"
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-27708522032893689012012-01-22T11:46:00.000+07:002012-01-22T11:46:55.388+07:00Chinese New Year in Khon Kaen, at the City Pillar, Khon Kaen Thailand 2012Larry of Khon Kaen Retirement fame and I after a long day of celebrating day 1 of Chinese New Year got to the city pillar here in khon kaen to film CNY observances there.As you can see there was a pretty good crowd for early in the morning. Also you see the Thai poor there for whatever alms the Chinese Thais might offer and I get some pointers on where to film Chinese New year. Not the best of tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-69076429675299516742012-01-22T07:11:00.002+07:002012-01-22T07:12:48.801+07:00Chinese New Year, khon Kaen, Isaan, Thailand 21.01.12 eveningThe 21st was the first day of Chinese New Year and I stopped at the Shrine acroos from Beung Kaen Nakhon in Khon Kaen on the evening the 1st day to video the goings on and here are the results
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-63070945084655554612012-01-21T10:51:00.001+07:002012-01-21T10:51:14.808+07:00More from The Art Exhibit at Esarn Cultural Center at Khon Kaen University part 2Here in Part 2 of the series, we will see the catalogue pages showing the works of the "Invited Artists" to the "28th Exhibition of Contemporary art by Young Artists on the occasion of Silpa Bhirasri Day." Born Corrado Feroci (15 September 1892 – 14 May 1962) was an Italian-born sculpture who worked mainly in Thailand and is considered the father of modern art in Thailand and was instrumental tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-3624485095759241842012-01-20T08:24:00.000+07:002012-01-20T08:24:07.070+07:00Morning Rush hour in the Rain, Khon Kaen, Isaan, Thailand 20.01.12It has been raining all night and even with wet roads and no traffic light the neughborhood went nearly 14 minutes without a mishap.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-77757318936587937972012-01-20T05:06:00.000+07:002012-01-21T03:56:13.222+07:00The Esarn Cultural Center at Khon Kaen University, Part 1I was on campus at Khon Kaen University on Thursday the 20th of January 2012 trying to get some information on a number of subjects. Now if any of you have ever been on a campus of a Thai University you have some idea of how closely guarded any form of information might be.
At the end of a long search I finally ended up at the E-sarn Cultural Center on campus, a place I had visited often. It is tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-73466727724810169622012-01-19T08:21:00.000+07:002012-01-19T08:21:07.121+07:00Jominee Beach on the Isaan Riviera, Nong Khai, ThailandJominee Beach on the Isaan Riviera, Nong Khai, Thailand becomes popular toward the end of February as the weather heats up in isaan. During the summer school break and especially Songkran the place can get packed.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-33497422690410251562012-01-18T10:43:00.001+07:002012-01-18T10:43:54.813+07:00I am starting YET ANOTHER NEW FEATURE this one is utilizing the Google Map Anroid App Places and Check in feature. Of course most places that I visit of interest to visitors make it to my Provincial maps. The purpose of I was Here 2012 is just to point out places along the way that might be useful if you travel through Isaan.
For instance this morning I bought Petrol and a snack pulling out of tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-20294290945425414392012-01-17T12:40:00.000+07:002012-01-17T13:04:15.451+07:00Isaan Dancing a Look BackI don't think I ever did a blog post with this video done in Nong Khai but it is still one of my favorites. Back then there were fewer cell phones and in Isaan fewer with cameras.This was shot with an old Sony video cam You could actually take a picture or shoot a video back then and people were polite. I guess the older I get the more I remember the "Good Old Days"
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-16942262775289528292012-01-15T15:44:00.000+07:002012-01-15T15:44:14.173+07:00Art Exhibit, Bophana Center Cambodia, Elizabeth BeckerI received the following from an old brother in arms Joe galloway.
The person who sent this to Joe is Elizabeth Becker and he asked me to pass it on.
"To those in or near Cambodia, especially Al Rockoff and Jaimie
Pringle: The Bophana Center is holding an exhibit of my color
photographs from my 1978 reporting trip to Cambodia under the Khmer
Rouge. Please come to the opening on 9 February or tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-76403758687488947492012-01-15T14:12:00.000+07:002012-01-15T14:12:54.854+07:00Sports Day in Nong KhaiChildrens Day is saturday and Sunday the Moo of the village face each other on the field, pitch and court. It's Sports day in the Villages throughout Isaan. Moo are the sub-districts of villages and towns in Thailand, so you might live on soi2, moo4, ban fart, tambon fecal, amphor squat in whatever changwat in thailand. Now particapants are from child to adult and the stakes are high. There tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-72557216090050856132012-01-15T04:51:00.000+07:002012-01-15T04:56:02.203+07:00Friendship Highway, Khon Kaen, Thailand a morning drive 14.01.12WE have HSPA highspeed internet in much of Khon Kaen town now, giving me the opurtunity to broadcast live, and I have been taking advantage of iy so that viewers can see what life is like here. I havebeen trying tofigure out the ins and outs of broadcasting live along with methods and equipment available in the area. Part of the challenge when trying to broadcast Isaan Live at 5 is finding a tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-33337516310132707322012-01-14T11:17:00.000+07:002012-01-14T11:17:05.561+07:00Childrens Day Thailand, Khon Kaen morning VideoChildrens Day Thailand, Khon Kaen morning Video from the Chinese shrine near Beung Kaen Nakhon.
Everyone was having a great time the Chinese Community gets it spot on again in Khon Kaen.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-41727415831616908762012-01-13T12:21:00.000+07:002012-01-15T02:18:19.720+07:00Live at Beung Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen, Thailand 12.01.12Last evening I broadcast Live from Beung Kaen Nakhon, in Khon Kaen>
This is the area at the lake where people stop to eat, shop and or just socialize. The video runs about 20 minutes> If you want a look at life how it really is pull up yourbeverage of choice and meat the folks from Isaan, here in Khon Kaen town.
If you would live to view live broadcasts go to ustream.tv and search isaanlive wheretom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-71962852100983983652012-01-12T09:23:00.001+07:002012-01-14T05:34:36.351+07:00Thailand khonkaen morning rush hour 12.01.12I was passing the intersection at the Northeast corner of Beung Kaen Nakhon here in town and decided to give you a glimpse of morning traffic. If I were to rate intersections for traffic-danger here in Khon Kaen from 1 to 10, 1 being the quietest, 10 being the most congested the would be a 3. When I get real stupid 1 morning I'll get out a record a 7+. Enjoy
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-84045988053638174722012-01-11T13:19:00.000+07:002012-01-11T13:19:27.713+07:00Along the Mekhong Day 2 09.01.12After spending the Night in Phibun Manghansahan, where I found a place with wifi and places to eat and drink in walking distance I headed to Kaeng Jukan and experienced a GPS gone mad as it had me plotted near Khe Sanh in Viet Nam. After sorting things out I noted the lack of commercial interest here. When I first stumbled on this keang it looked like a good spot for some food and bev stands.I tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-32800517285637815712012-01-11T06:56:00.000+07:002012-01-11T06:57:06.292+07:00An Isaan Moment 11.01.02 (am) ThailandThis morning while speed walking around the outside the beung I saw an emergency vehicle parked at oneof the gates so I waited to see what happened. Another victim of the Thai Government, at Municipality level. Many people during the winter have to get their exercise in before sunrise> The municipality with high marks for not missing a rent collection ha a fine failure rate when it comes to tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-80590458484280461422012-01-10T11:32:00.001+07:002012-01-10T11:32:58.250+07:00Wat Tham Khuhasawan, Luang Poo KhamkhaningThe compound of Wat Tham Khuhasawan stand on the bluff overlooking Khong Chiam town in Ubon Ratchatani. Many spendid buildings, hedis and shrines to include a huge white Ubosot stand on the property.
The real gem at the temple is Luang Poo Khamkhaning who lies in state in glass coffin intact since his death in 1985at the age of 91.He spent time when a child as a novice before becoming a recluse tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-26231408269883823692012-01-09T06:06:00.001+07:002012-01-11T05:19:10.207+07:00Along the Mekhong Day 1 08.01.12I got to Mukdahan the afternoon of the 7th and scoured the town for wifi locations to transmit Live at 5 from Isaan Live. For a Provincial capital it was a sad situation. First of all 3BBhotspot is a commercial, pay for service and it might be fair to think they might have wifi service where people gather, like the night food market and riverside. Nope! The one place I found a decent signal was tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-2570805821929172672012-01-08T02:51:00.000+07:002012-01-08T02:51:21.064+07:00Along the Mekong, Buddhism, Tudong and Isaan ThailandI spent the night in Mukdahan leaving early on the morning of the 8th (full moon)along the Mekong toward Khong Chiam in Ubon.
This area is the part of the river in Thailand with the most beaches, haads, and rapids, kaeng, rock formations in the river. "Sam Phan Boke" is one of the best known
Also along this stretch are plenty of caves where over the years Tudong (dhutanga) monks traveled and tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-35371319972412945322012-01-07T05:10:00.001+07:002012-01-07T14:16:00.317+07:00A Khon Kaen "Wet", Fresh MarketA city the size of Khon kaen has a number of markets like this. Some are inside open air building and some are on the street like this one. As you might be aware there is really no refrigeration. Some folks have gone vegetarian after visiting a market like this. Video has no smell a vision.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-72732433027503534362012-01-05T03:27:00.000+07:002012-01-05T04:12:44.765+07:00Live in IsaanKhon Kaen finally got 3G and AIS also has a new WIFI setup with 3BB hotspot here in Thailand so I have begun broadcasting live. I try to announce upcoming broadcasts on twitter where I am @isaanlife if you watch the upper right hand of Isaan Live. Past broadcasts can be found by doing a search for "isaanlive" in ustream.tv while many of them will be posted as a blog entry. I hope you enjoy thistom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-5487885389544108742012-01-04T19:40:00.001+07:002012-01-24T07:24:16.722+07:00seeing life in isaannot what people tell you but the real isaan
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-4699438102284947002012-01-03T12:57:00.001+07:002012-01-05T03:53:25.543+07:00Buddhist Temple Thailand more than 130 years old along the MekongThe other day I mentioned the Ubosot that is more than 130 years old in and Isaan village along the Mekhong. When I was back the other day I stopped to take another look and get more photos.
The name of the temple is Wat Udom Son Phra Pone, or near facsimile. As I had thought on first visit the bot does not face east , but west. In this section the Mekong flows from south to north so facing the tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-70630069213196305382011-12-31T09:58:00.000+07:002012-01-09T04:25:03.780+07:00A look around Wat Pa Ban Tad on the 1st anniversary of the death Luangta Maha Boowa (stills)(30.1.12 WILL BE THE IST ANNIV.)As I said I arrived at the wat about 0600 and there were few folks around, but the numbers grew till alm round. I keep forgetting the sunrises late in the winter. Some monks went off on their regular rounds. I saw Phra Rahula with another monk I know, but did not recognize him at first. Had a great visit. He was with Bhante Gunaratana for many years. Bhante G as he is known is Sri Lankan and verytom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-39829207048685859062011-12-31T07:10:00.000+07:002011-12-31T07:10:07.678+07:00Buddhism Thailand 12 Traditions, the 2d Lunar monthbun khun lan (second lunar month : making merit for rice heap yard). January 8th 2012
After threshing and piling up rice in a large heap on the yard, farmers want to express their thanks to Mother Rice and
ancestors for the rich product.
They celebrate it after long tiring work. Monks say prayers in front of the rice heap and
foods are offered to monks. Then a supposed Brahman tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-46555685070075554712011-12-30T11:06:00.001+07:002012-01-09T04:25:36.274+07:00Wat Pa Ban Tad 1 Year Anniversary of the death of Luangta Maha Boowa.(30.1.12 WILL BE THE IST ANNIV.)I arrived at 0600 and there was hardly a soul in sight. By the time, inside the gate Pindabhat arrived, there was a fairly good sized crowd.Rahula Bikkhu who I had not seen in about 20 years happened to be there and we had a chance to chat. Hard to believe he has about 34 Pansaa now.
I will print an album later
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-4883925969565334502011-12-28T13:03:00.000+07:002011-12-28T19:58:36.494+07:00Travel Thailand, Day Train from Korat to Nong KhaiWhen I first recorded this video 5 years ago this local train was faster in KPH than the Express or Rapid trains. As a matter of fact I think it still is.
The old coaches have a driver\navigator compartments in front of some cars. This was a great place to sit as there was an individual seat and for those slaves to the evil weed, you could smoke.
It was the most comfortable trip from Korat to tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-11285815585336888042011-12-28T12:28:00.001+07:002012-01-01T07:29:45.978+07:00Sala Keo Kou, Wat Kaek, Nong Khai, Thailand, IsaanThis place is not a Buddhist Temple but a sculpture garden of many dimensions. Indu and Buddhist statuary are strewn around the ground. The place has been on the top of the places to visit in Nong Kahi for years now
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-32704332491533674872011-12-26T09:48:00.000+07:002011-12-27T08:30:14.921+07:00Highway safety in Northeast Thailand, Isaan
Well the holiday season is upon us, here in Thailand and around the world. Now thailand reports about 13,000 highway fatalaties a year or about or about 1.5 per hour.
I know (+95% sure) that during the Songkran holiday only those pronounced dead in Government Hospitals are included in the statistics and assume it is true the rest of the year. I do not know what % of deaths that is, but it has tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-70881671138086907642011-12-26T05:31:00.001+07:002011-12-28T13:07:54.702+07:00A glimpse of an Isaan Village in Thailand (Cold Season)This the time of year that the 2d rice planting is in if you have enough water. For other folks it is the time of year for crops like corn. Some years the corn is sweet and tender and some it's a bit like sawdust. We,ll soon start to find out as it is often roasted over the charcoal fires that keep folks warm on the cold Isaan mornings.
Those villages along the Mekong start their gardens as the tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-52977279579070008582011-12-24T15:06:00.001+07:002011-12-26T06:51:05.972+07:00A look back at LaosBack in 1998 I had the first bit of time in the Lao PDR in more than a quarter century and had a change to travel from Vientiane to south of Pak Xe. I was there for boat races and other festivals. I hope you enjoy the tour. This was way prior to digital. And prior to decent photo processing in Isaan or Laos.
Click on the up arrow in the album lower right hand corner for full page view
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-41015240287388565502011-12-24T14:38:00.001+07:002011-12-24T14:54:43.022+07:00Rapids in the Mekong River MukdahanThe best known of the rapids along the mekong River in Mukdahan Province is known as Kaeng Ka Bao. Located just south of That Phanom,in Nakhon Phanom it is located along the North to South stretch of river that leaves Thailand in Ubon Ratchatani in Amphor Kong Chiam. The largest, most dramatic of the many rapids along the river here is Sam Phan Boke in Ubon
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-3379273054751668302011-12-23T13:19:00.000+07:002011-12-23T13:19:45.208+07:00Kut Na Kham Ceramics and CraftsKut Na Kahm is in Amphor Charoen Sin, Sakon Nakhon Province. The center was created under the initiative of the Queen.You can read various articles about the Support Center online. It used to be closed on Sundays, I am not sure and haven't seen a recent schedule.There is much more to see than the showroom, this place is worth a wander around
The prices are "ridiculously low I have been told by tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-59301542270964176012011-12-23T12:04:00.000+07:002011-12-26T05:56:44.642+07:00What is Progress in Northeast Thailand, An Isaan Opinion, Beung Thung Sang, Khon KaenI enjoy the Park at Thung Sang Lake in Khon Kaen. I find the artwork intriguing, amusing and just plain enjoyable. It is a good place for morning exercise a change of pace from Beung Kaen Nakhon. Not a bad place for people watching either.
I had heard a number of stories going on about the lake and the folks that live around it, but never anything substantial.
While doing some research today I tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-9736300707245070052011-12-23T07:58:00.000+07:002011-12-23T08:01:59.983+07:00Wat Sa Bua KaeoI used the Tourism Authority of Thailand as my reference the other day when writing the post "Could you win 10,000 Baht from the Tourism Authority of Thailand" (Part 1" to point one thing out.But there is another point or maybe two here.First of all if this temple is thought to be of interest to tourists, how many more area there and where are they? Soe are listed, who knows how many are not. tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-81741630418560794032011-12-22T17:53:00.000+07:002011-12-22T17:53:51.695+07:0024 Hours in Isaan 21-22.12.11 1700-1700ON THE 21st at 1700 happy hour a bit of food and a stroll down the road 50 meters to another local where I stopped for a bit of chin wag and a night. Don't know if that kid died. Looked like he would make it.
Next morning 22d down the road, still dark and this kid was dead for sure.
The sugar cane trucks are spreading havoc on the country lanes and overloaded often tip over.Stopped at Wat Pa tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-6261032627056440032011-12-21T09:13:00.000+07:002011-12-21T09:13:32.662+07:00Could you win 10,000 Baht from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Part 1)
Now that I have your attention. Take a close look at what is there and then read this quote that is used by the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Brochure. "The temple is located at Ban Wang Khun. The mural and sculptural works
of this temple is worth a visit. Crouching guardian lion replicas are on
both sides of the stairway leading up to the Ubosot, ordination hall,
with sculptures of men tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-71408457026681053002011-12-20T13:35:00.001+07:002011-12-20T13:35:17.566+07:00Meditation Centers in Isaan, The hunt Part 1
I posted on the 10th of December that I was going to start to look for meditation centers and start I have.
Extensive "Google" searches led me to a site found by searching "Vipassana Meditation Khon Kaen", and went in search. I had the village name and went to the correct village, but had forgotten to bring the Moo and house number.Anyhow I spoke with a number of people stopped ay an number of tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-30814667567464711802011-12-19T06:57:00.000+07:002011-12-19T11:31:49.633+07:00WOW, more Spooky Thailand, an Isaan Perspective
I just finished commenting on some of the news in Thailand, when I stumbled on even more of it.
This one gave me "fllod flashbacks". I doubt you remember but at one time the Lam Pao Reservoir in Kalasin was ofverflowing at the spillway and at 100% capacity, while the Ubol Ratana Reservoir, Khon Kaen, level had not reached the spillway and was at 120% capacity. So it seems that 100% full is moretom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-1379473269349681622011-12-18T11:16:00.003+07:002011-12-18T12:07:32.892+07:00Spooky in Thailand (and they call los angeles lala land)
Nearly every day what I call spooky stories appear in Thailand;s Nearly English Language dailies. Namely the Bangkok Post and the Nation. Last week seemed to be the most spookiest I have seen in ages..
The first leads with "
Sex trade lures girls in early teens
A recent upsurge in the number of underage girl prostitutes in some
northeastern provinces is causing concern, a children's rights tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-48574458996362263512011-12-17T06:23:00.000+07:002011-12-17T07:20:09.992+07:00Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, Khon Kaen, Isaan, Thailand IAfter 12 years I finally arrived to find the Museum open, more or less. I had stopped up a number of times over the years and it always seemed to be closed. The Tourism Authority of Thailand brochure notes that the Museum is closed on Wednesday. Last time I was up in the area during the rainy season I was told by staff on site that is Closed on Mondays, of course I went up there on the Monday so tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-41676515584616774762011-12-15T10:43:00.000+07:002011-12-15T10:55:59.450+07:00beung kaen nakhon outside the fenceI post quite regularly about khon kaen, the food, the golf, the sights and so on.The Beung Kaen Nakhon area is the best part of town for the tourist. Around the lake are plenty of food, lodging massage and other venues to enjoy.
You have seen the posts about the Beung and all already, or just do a search through my archives.
Click here to see the photo map
or just enjoy the slideshow
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-52346190895852675742011-12-14T07:25:00.002+07:002011-12-14T11:36:50.356+07:0020 Billion Baht. Where does it come from in ThailandIt looks like the Toxin, phase 2 government is going to budget that amount of money for flood recovery, whatever that means.
If I remember correctly the Deans of a couple major Bangkok Universities came up with repair costs before the floodwaters had receded. All the answers to solving the problem (flooding) and the costs are coming in faster than the floodwaters hit Ayudya.
As there is no tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-2518433756152256272011-12-13T07:35:00.001+07:002011-12-13T07:38:43.451+07:00Mahasarakham University, street food and Packaging Exhibit compilationA few months ago Mahasarakham University hosted a street food and Packaging Exhibit at the Uni Library. If you are interested in the subject you can find links to my posts below. I found the exhibit quite interesting and informative. I hope you enjoy a look at the posts
Streetfood Thailand 09.25.11
Street Food Exhibit Scene 1, Packaging
Street Food Exhibit, Semiotics Part 2
Street Foodtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-16063949467992210302011-12-12T09:50:00.000+07:002011-12-12T09:50:18.412+07:00Pattaya 2 and a bunch of bull in thailand, isaanI was traveling on the west side of Ubol Ratana reservour enroute to Nong Bua Lam Phu ans wanted to check the location of the buffalo conservation area and since it was nearby to check the water level at Pattaya 2.
As you can see the water level at the reservoir is still high.
The Na Wa, Phu Wiang, Water Buffalo Conservation Center seems to take up a number of villages. I was unable to find a tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-34228332618271229882011-12-11T04:41:00.001+07:002011-12-11T12:22:05.953+07:00An Isaan, Musical, Moment 10.12.11One of the regular musicians at Menu Neua Restaurant brought his "penny whistle" last night and provided a change to the usual guitar or keyboard. It was a nice change and went well with the evenings Laap, somtam and fish.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-64240408384056985652011-12-10T10:54:00.001+07:002011-12-10T11:07:40.759+07:00Buddhist Meditation centers in northeast Thailand
I have received a number of questions about meditation centers and have been searching around for a while now and finally have a lead on a couple in Khon Kaen. The plan is to try to find them starting tomorrow the 11th.
If anyone should happen to know about any meditation centers elsewhere in Isaan please let me know. I will post what I find out if I find these places. One is listed as a tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-55805189053503857802011-12-08T06:16:00.001+07:002012-01-05T04:07:35.304+07:00Part 2 The Mekhong River in Northeast Thailand, Isaan , Nong Khai to Mukdahan
Earlier this month I documented the trip from Chiang Khan, Loei to Sri Chianmai, Nong Khai. I have just retaravelled fo this year the area fron Nong Khai town to Mukdahan. The river is generally wide and flat through this region, with mountains appearing in laos near Beung Kan and down along the eat bank to Mukdahan and onwards. Along the way are many temples, some of historical significance, tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-30796779978176698352011-12-07T06:27:00.001+07:002011-12-07T06:38:49.464+07:00Ubosot, Wat Phra Maha Sri Pho, mukdahanAs I was researching the Thai Bank of the Mekong River between Nong Khai and Mukdahan. Located not to far from Mukdahan town the temple houses some diverse architecture. A modern chedi or that, a, what I have seen described as a Sino Portuguese building and this very old ubosot. I do not know if the bot is "listed" with the fine arts departmnet or whoever, but it certainly should be as it is in tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-52735268547417227452011-12-06T03:35:00.001+07:002011-12-06T12:04:29.441+07:00Dinosaurs in Nakhon PhanaomLast time I passed this way going upstream I noticed a couple roadside dinosaurs along Route 212 between Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai and planned on investigating the next trip through the area. It seems that 1,000s of years ago Isaan was a hotbed of dinosaur activity. Kalasin has a very good "Dinosauria." And in Khon Kaen dinosaurs can be found near Phu Wiang. And Nong Bua Lam Phu is not to be tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-79906594156804703822011-12-04T11:23:00.001+07:002011-12-04T11:27:08.060+07:00Shortages, Still! in Isaan ( Glad to see the ever alert press is reporting all this)
Most places still do not have liter or larger bottles of drinking water, but for some reason liter and larger bottles of premium, (read high priced) are available.Most bog roll is in shrt supple the Tesco in Nong Khai had only the plastic type. You can almost wash and reuse the stuff. You really have to be a hard ass to use it. Also big on the list of missing are many flavours of Mama noodles. tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-23952987488084062092011-12-04T10:45:00.001+07:002011-12-05T04:43:27.424+07:00On the Occasion of his 84th Birthday a look back at the 72d Birthday of King Bhumibol AdulyadejI shot photos at Sanam Luang where the world record for number of canopies in the sky at once was recorded. Later I sat with General Surayud at the trooping of the colours and then we went on to Ubon to set a new record for a formation jump. I believe I have named those records accurately, but may be off. Jumpers from around the world joined together for the event in honor of the king. tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-2544918129677687882011-12-04T10:07:00.001+07:002011-12-04T14:55:56.207+07:00Wat Pa Baan Taad, Luang Ta Maha Boowa Update 03.12.11
I stopped by Wat Pa Baan Taad on my way to Nong Khai Province Saturday moring, arriving just as the last of the monks were finishing their meal for the day just about 0845.
Caught up with Phra Peter as his bowl was getting washed and he was being guarded by one of the wat dogs. Had about an hour chat to update each other on local goings on with both monastics we both know, and other odds and tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-83106743577805399282011-12-02T12:29:00.001+07:002011-12-02T16:24:58.708+07:00Journalism, Thailand, Corruption, Ethics another view from Isaan 02.12.11
Ethics forgotten & Gone in Thailand
You have got to be kidding me! The Nation ( Thailand's Nearly English Language Newspaper) responds to Thailand's new corruption rating with just the kind of Thai Logic we expect. Now this is the type of in depth responsible drivvle they at which they excel. "The ranking was released on Thursday by Transparency International, said
Transparency Thailand tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-55977320626498667482011-12-02T02:10:00.001+07:002011-12-03T14:05:42.924+07:00Khmer Sites of Mahasarakham, Isaan a Review Part 1
From Khmer site at Baan Bua Mat, Borabue, Mahasarakham, Isaan
Earlier in 2011 as I was reviewing some of the sites I had visited throughout the region it became quite obvious that there were major errors and omissions in The Tourism Authority of Thailand's listings of tourist sites in the area. I found 1 site in particular that was advertised by TAT that had been closed for nearly 10 years andtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-52536868681575680042011-12-01T07:21:00.001+07:002011-12-01T07:31:02.194+07:00Khon Kaen Silk Festival Parade 2011Larry of Khon Kaen Retirementcame into town to shoot the Parade. As we were a bit early I tried to think of a place to have a bite. Directly across from the Khon Kaen Hotel on Naa Muang road is a duck and dimsum place which I hadn't visited in awhile, so we popped in.I have been told that this is a franchise operation and is identified by the green plates and bowls. Whatever the case all was tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-27571259520744689822011-12-01T03:58:00.001+07:002011-12-01T13:00:10.423+07:00The Mekhong River in Northeast Thailand, Isaan 01.12.11Late last month I began my latest tour of the Mekhong River at Chiang Khan in Loei Province and contiued downriver to Sri Chiang Mai in Nong Khai Province. My first post, linked here, presents the geotagged mobile phone photos of the trip in a map in Picasa Web. In this post are the DSLR photos taken along the way. Anyone interested in nature will surely enjoy this trip along the Mekong through tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-30616113170247740512011-11-30T18:22:00.001+07:002011-11-30T18:47:55.215+07:00The Cave Forest Wats of Isaan Part 1
For the past couple years I have been searching out and mapping the "Wat Tham" cave wats in Isaan of the Ajahn Mun Dhutanga Khammathana tradition. Ajahn Mun spent his Final years at a samnak known today as Wat Pa Phuritat, Sakon Nakhon, before going to Sakon Nakhon town to die. While one of his most famous students Luangta maha boowa went to stay at a cave that today is known as Wat Tham Nok tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-28271822835457997282011-11-30T08:30:00.001+07:002011-11-30T16:20:31.908+07:00A visit to Mahasarakham University Isaan
Add caption
I spend a fair amount of time at the University, actually having just discovered many of its' secrets the past year.
First of all is the MSU Museum, which is really an exhibit of isaan style houses and well worth a visit just inside the main entrance to the North Campus.
Also on the Campus is The Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum at the Science Building. The carved mushrooms are tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-71488189478047637952011-11-29T07:16:00.001+07:002011-12-01T06:37:25.258+07:00Wat Pa Tak Seua, Sangkhom, Nong Khai Isaan 25.11.11As I previously posted the drive along the Mekhong River From Chiang Khan In Loei to Sri Chiangmai in Nong Khai is well worth the drive The are very few places to view the river and valley from any elavation. Wat Pa Tak Seua provides 1 tranquil opportunity. A couple photos in the album are qeotagged so you can find the place and it will soon be on my Nong Khai Province map. Men can go walking tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-3455002892373555372011-11-29T05:00:00.001+07:002011-11-29T16:35:53.835+07:00Isaan Live Flood News and Updates 29.11.11
Isaan, TAT sez "No Flooding"
Tourism Authority of Thailand has come out with another of those updates best found in the Fiction section of any shop."Provinces in the north and northeast of Thailand were not affected by the flood." according to TAT, I have a few 1,000 photos that might disprove that piece of misinformation. As far as The World Heritage Site in Ayutthaya. They say "A few
parts tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-59454756899199794392011-11-27T13:05:00.001+07:002011-11-28T10:12:26.144+07:00Isaan Update 28.11.11 Views and comments on Thai Flood and More
Isaan, we stayed
World Bank Says Floods Cost Thailand $45 Billion, But Thais Continue Smiling
Continue reading on Examiner.com World Bank Says Floods Cost Thailand $45 Billion, But Thais Continue Smiling - National Asia Travel | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/asia-travel-in-national/world-bank-says-floods-cost-thailand-45-billion-but-thais-continue-smiling#ixzz1ewl7T8lf
This hastom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-68348085965845728122011-11-26T13:52:00.001+07:002011-11-27T10:12:01.707+07:00Chiang Khan, Loei along the Mekhong to Sri Chiangmai, nong Khai 25.11.11, an Isaan JourneyI got out of "khao san road on the mekhong" aka Chiang Khan as soon as I photographed pseudo pindabaht and stopped at Keang Khut Ku for a might fine cup of espresso and some shots of the rocks in the morning mist.AS the river recedes the rocks and beaches begin to appear along this, nearly 200 kilometer of river.
The are plant of places to stop and admire the views with Laos to the left and the tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-64648240797072587382011-11-26T05:57:00.001+07:002011-11-26T06:27:41.142+07:00Chiang Khan, an Isaan Scam? 25.11.11 Buddhism ThailandI arrived in Chiang Khan Thursday afternoon and will post more about my stay there in another post.
As I was sitting around that evening ( a short note-the town is full to the brim with westerners, Bangkokians and a few normal people) and I overheard some westerners talking about getting up at 0500 the next morning for something. " Oh, I asked, are you getting up that early for the sunrise," tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-89220588539610837862011-11-26T04:59:00.001+07:002011-11-26T13:24:48.367+07:00Isaan Life Flood Update 26.11.11 views and observations
Isaan we aint gone yet!
Well it seems some of the folks around Bangkok are none to pleased about the way the water is being handled and have been revolting. Here in Thailand it is the governments function to be not only revolting but corrupt and ineffectual as well. And another "expert" this time from Israel, a country with plenty of flood related problems? Where have all the experts been the tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-34694751619188317012011-11-25T15:25:00.001+07:002011-11-25T15:32:37.069+07:00Is anyone left in Bangkok. They are all in Isaan. Still 25.11.11I suppose they will all go home evntually. Claim they have been robeed and get all sorts of insurance money and compensation. I thought Phu Kradeung and Chiang Khan had them all in this area, but I could not get into a 7-11 for them and the car park at Tesco in Tha Bo of all places. Another rumour is they are staying near the Isaan maid's town so she can take care of them.
Click here to view themtom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-58287432755026331832011-11-25T05:30:00.001+07:002011-11-25T06:26:35.012+07:00Phu Kradeung, Loei an Isaan Moment 25.11.11I am travelling from Khon Kaen north. First west on Highway 12 to road 201 and north to Chiang Khan. Along th way amongst other stops I looked in on Phu Kradeung to find the 2 big carparks nearly full, and as the vide shows a fair number of bangkok registered cars, At information they told me the lodging was full. There was a "run to the top" which brought a number of Khon Kaen vehicles, but tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-79995871871394733342011-11-25T04:34:00.001+07:002011-11-26T11:05:20.945+07:00Suan Hin Pha Ngam, Kunming in Loei, Isaan 25.11.11Well Isaan has Stonehenge Thailand, why not Kunming as well? I must say it is picturesque, with the exception of the 100s of Bangkokians. I would like to return to be there for both sunrise and sunset. If you are going to be in thee area it is a better bet than " Khao San Road on the Mekong" also known as Chiang Khan. I am not sure of lodging prices near the park, but they could be no worse than tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-2699541565785352982011-11-25T03:50:00.001+07:002011-11-25T15:15:04.569+07:00Isaan Live Update 25.11.11.Flood views and opinion
Isaan Forgotten not Gone
Well, this morning Bangkok post shows that Thailand's Members of Parliament have their priorities, in the usual, self serving direction.
"Mudslinging broke out in the House of Representatives yesterday after an
opposition MP called on the government to give details of its recent
activity to tackle the flood crisis." is one of my favourite quotes in this article. I tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-33623100754926989872011-11-23T13:30:00.001+07:002011-11-24T14:56:56.141+07:00Isaan Flood News, opinions and updates. 24.11.11
Isaan Not gone, just Forgotten
I might have missed in the flood of information over the past month,but suddenly news about all the textile factories. Why is just out now?
1:05pm SRT resumes normal services 4 South bound trains leaving Hualumpong&Thonburi sta,more details call1690 #Thaifloodeng v@TAN_Network
I always have to laugh when I see this News about the SRT. As far as I know late is thetom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-32238468993449266162011-11-23T11:05:00.001+07:002011-11-25T18:54:05.887+07:0012 Traditions, Heet sipsong Month 1 in Isaan
Coming at the Full Moon of DEcember starts a new cycle in the Buddhist Calendar in Thailand, but most particularly in Isaan.
Duan ai bun khao kam (gum) (first lunar month : making merit by doing penance)
Monks committing minor sins during the past year by breaking Rules of the Monastic Order have to do penance by staying in small huts. They must
do good, strictly keep precepts, and tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-63896871288525392052011-11-23T08:05:00.001+07:002011-11-23T08:11:45.162+07:00Tha Uthen, NKP, Isaan, Morning Market21.11.11When travelling anywhere in Isaan, but especially along th Mekong, get up early in the morning a visit a morning market. The one in Tha Uthen is just the right size to experience life in a riverside town.
I got there a little late 0700 things start to wind down, but there is still plenty to see. Fish as always are available in abundance as are local vegetable and meats.
The weather is starting totom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-5479636941077619392011-11-23T05:37:00.001+07:002011-11-23T13:12:08.284+07:00Isaan Live Flood News and Updates 23.11.11
Isaan Forgotten, not Gone
Last Night The organizations "Save the Children" and "World Vision" held an event.
and I quote
"This event will provide insight into the social and humanitarian impact
of the current flooding crisis in Thailand. It brings together two
experts from leading humanitarian organisations Save the Children and
World Vision."
Now 1st of all they say in Thailand, but I tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-91484410510858090932011-11-22T09:27:00.001+07:002011-11-22T14:25:33.176+07:00Isaan Update 22.11.11 Views, News and OpinionWell, I arrived back in Khon kaen this morning that our Bangkok cousins are not rushing back for the big cleanup or whatever is planned. For sure the have not heard or read the governments positively positive statements about the future.
I also see the Khun Toxin is not rushing back either. By the way has anybody seen our have a photo of all the pumps he bought for thailand. I know it must be tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-68978462591920648092011-11-21T10:35:00.001+07:002011-11-21T15:05:34.197+07:00Isaan Update 21.11.11
The bank of the Mekhong becomes one long vegetable garden
Once again it is good to start my day learning how Thais help each other at a times of crisis. It should soon begin to dissole the myth about Buddhism in Thailand and the lovely smailing little people they are (not)
Once again a save the dogs story appears in another of Thailands nearly english language newspapers. I have done a search tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-13849841764843256362011-11-21T05:51:00.001+07:002011-11-21T07:09:10.635+07:00Isaan Roads, Highway 2112 in Ubon Ratchathani Novermber 2011, Another Isaan MomentI am moving between 5 and 25kph on this and many other stretches in Isaan.
I do not know how many kilometers of roads in Isaan are in the condition or similar. I do know that over the past few years I hace covered more than 100,000 kilometers in Isaan and certainly more than a quarter of the roads are in poor condition. Actually this is safer than a road you might be driving along at 90KPH and tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-80416258470481494432011-11-20T14:32:00.001+07:002011-11-20T14:53:49.710+07:00Modern Isaan Blessing or Scourge
Ajahn Chah and Sumedho Bhikku, back in the day, borrowed from a book
I left Khon Kaen Friday Morning and it is now Sunday afternoon. I have seen flooding and drought in the same day, I have seen suffering and joy. The loss of crop and the harvesting of crop. I have seen disco and morning Puja. I have seen people caught up in face and people who know the reality and samsara of face.
Modern tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-76244571329257602142011-11-20T09:21:00.001+07:002011-11-20T14:59:00.292+07:00Ho Chi Minh in Isaan,Nakhon Phanom 19.11.11Ho Chi Minh lived in Nakhon Phanom in the early 1900s and there has been a large Vietnamese community along the Mekhong River for yeqrs.
Over the years the stories change and Ho's house is reincarnation many diffenent buildings. You might say the Nakhon Phanom has many Ho houses. Anyhow these photos are geotagged, just go to the Picasa album to view.
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-1307798929200142942011-11-19T16:46:00.001+07:002011-11-19T19:50:01.315+07:00Isaan not bad for 2 days, buddhism, a whole bunch of ProvincesI departed Khon Kaen about 0630 on the 18th, though Kalasin, Roi-Et, a bit of Yasothon into Ubon for the night. a lazy day Ubon to Mukdahan to nakhon Phanom fr the evening. More explanatory post to come. Come to Thailand and in Isaan you can experience the Mekhong River.
Click here to view the map and photostom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-20410581274947569622011-11-19T05:47:00.001+07:002011-11-19T05:47:33.149+07:00morning on the mehong river in isaanIt might be another long day, but is off to a beautiful start ay song saleung beach in ubon Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-89758669072274814532011-11-18T04:38:00.001+07:002011-11-18T16:51:07.318+07:00Thai Flood Updates and Opinion from Isaan 18.11.11
Well from up here in the Northeast of th Land of Smiles it looks like the Tourism Authority of Thailand is going to have to get out a mighty big paintbrush to whitewash the events surrounding the flood.
My first read from the Bangkok Post Six injured in explosion at floodwall fails to mention the "Smiling Thais" who blew the thing up. Oh I agree that anyplace else in the world there might have tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-72313672962485592532011-11-18T03:53:00.001+07:002011-11-21T14:08:23.956+07:00Yaang Talaat, Kalasin, IsaanYaang Talaat, or Yang Talaat or Yang Talat is located about 16 kilometers west of Kalasin town on the road from Khon Kaen. It is home to the soon to be re-opened 18 hole golf course and as the town name would have it home to a tire recycling industry. There are some smaller and some larger than the operation pictured here , but they all operate the same way. The tires are torn apart and put back tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-63766470166125074922011-11-17T09:13:00.001+07:002011-11-17T09:42:14.529+07:00An Isaan Moment 17.11.11A break from the gloom and dumb and doom that has flooded Isaan and Thailand for the past few months.
Everyone loves a parade and this was great as it lasted about 5 minutes, no standing around, it kept moving and it was a 20 meter walk to get to it
So here you go not quite 76 trombones, thank goodness
tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991204405125484887.post-17329257869623412992011-11-17T06:24:00.001+07:002011-11-17T06:54:28.659+07:00Shame on those who call themselves Journalists in Thailand
I have just finished reading the tweets from the past 10 hours, I have scanned the posts and articles from Thailands nearly English Language Dailies and am sick.
I grew up and old during the Viet Nam War and served there, in combat from 1968 to 1971. The US Government held a daily briefing for journalists called the "5 o'clock follies."This is basically what Thai officials and other tom isaanhttps://profiles.google.com/113378374861934755357noreply@blogger.com1