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Nong Han Chalermphrakiat Park,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

I am not sure how many times I have driven past this park without stopping, but it must be in the 100s by now. So many of the parks in  Sakon Nakhon seem to have been good ideas that have gone to seed over time so I thought it would just be another one of those. Returning to town with time to spare I finally stopped and  was I surprised! Nong Han (Harn) Chalermphrakiat Park I managed by Kasetsart University in Sakon Nakhon the park is a research center for the study of freshwater plants especially the lotus and it’s many species. Along with the alligator pond is is a popular place to come to relax. Says the sign. Not quite sure why Nong Han suddenl became Nong Harn on a number of signs at the site.
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Drivers Education,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

This 7 kilometer stretch of road into Sakon Nakhon is a dual carriage way with plenty of dangerous  U-turn spots and feeder roads with merges and exits. Thais tend to drive too fast for conditions, I am working on the understatement cf the century award. People jump in and out from the feeder roads, U-turn without checking oncoming traffic and generally pray to the plastic Buddha sitting on the dashboard of their car that some thief in robes blessed, sold them an amulet and go ahead and put the pedal to the medal. These culprits along with the government officials who sell drivers licenses should be charged with negligent homicide at the least.
The person flew past me at about 150kmh a few kilometers back. Lucky she had a child in the car otherwise she might have been driving faster, In Thailand always remember, the darker the windows the worse the driver.
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Reclining Buddha in Northeast Thailand

saiyatThis Buddha image is in Wat Phuttha Nimit.This ancient reclining Buddha image was carved under a cliff, and is unusual in that it is leaning on its left hand rather than on its right hand. It was built in 1692Do an image search for reclining Buddha images and you will find photo after photo of imahes with the head resting on the right hand. On Phu Khao, is the Wat named Phuttha Nimit in which is the image of Buddha Saiyat, head resting on left hand.This Buddha image is in Wat Phuttha Nimit.This ancient reclining Buddha image was carved under a cliff, and is unusual in that it is leaning on its left hand rather than on its right hand. It was built in 1692. Is the tale I have read numerous places and is what I have experienced for years.In the Book “Forest Recollections” Tiyavanich mentions Ajahn Fan in about 1946…

he ran into Fan, who was leaving the wat of Weng Field Stupa with four other thudong monks on their journey to Daen Cliff Cave. Daen  Hill Cave is now Wat Tham Pa Daen and we drove up to have a look.
Sadly all sorts of flashy artwork and glitz is getting installed Thai style with little or no regard for the teaching of Ajahns Mun, Fan and the other Forest Tradition monks. That aside, but more on it later, as usual I shot photos and was qeotagging the location, not being particualarily mindful of what I was looking at, just trying not to vomit.I later realized the the two huge Buddha images being carved into the rock are both on their left side. I have been trying to find out why for only a week now and most people do not have a clue. A buddhist would recognize the difference rather quickly, but here in Thailand they are difficult to find. I will continue to try to get an answer to this question and will continue to locate the locations that are part of the history of the Forest Monks in Isaan, Northeast Thailand. I know what is unusual quite often becomes the usual in Thailand and that is not a cpmpilment

So Much Isaan,Northeast Thailand

Khu Khat Khmer Site, Mahasarakham, Isaan

First of all “Thank You” to Asger Mollerup who does know things Khmer and Pheu Thai. More here: Khu Khat Khmer Site, Mahasarakham, Isaan…Continue reading


Buddhism and ThaiBuddhism in Isaan

There is a lot I like about Buddhism. There is nothing to believe, there are no commandments and there is no “Rome” or hierarchy Read the original: Buddhism and thaibuddhism in Isaan…Continue reading


a walk around the lake in Kalasin Isaan at the silk festival

If you decide to visit Kalasin for the silk festival you might stroll or jog around Kuut Nam Gin in Kalasin town. Exersize, Art and of course food are all available Continue reading here: a walk…Continue reading


Driving in the Phu Phan Mountains from Sakon Nakhon to Kalasin,Thailand

The roads in Northeast Thailand are dangerous night and day, but driving through the Phu Phan Mountains in Isaan presents even more dangers, you might say one around every corner. Blind left hand…Continue reading


Where not to Stay in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand an Opinion 29.06.12

We were going to a wedding reception at the M.J. Hotel in town an decided to stay there so that I could have a few drinks and relax, as I do not drink and drive. continued here: Where not to Stay in…Continue reading


On Northeast Thai Roads During the Rainy Season

Thai roads are dangerous places to be at the best of times. Many are not well designed, especially as far as drainage and modern layout is concerned. Most are not crowned and banked curves are often incorrectly and sometimes dangerously  designed.
Then when you put poorly trained and some not trained at all Thai drivers on he roads the situation gets worse. Vehicles to big for the roads, driving to fast for conditions and not keeping the eyes on the road are normal in Thailand and especially Northeast Thailand, Isaan,. Motorcycles driven by children and drunkards.Children walking on the roads are a major danger in rural areas. Mismarked and unmarked roads and motorways are not uncommon. And then add the rain.
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Into Sakon Nakhon,Thailand and a Search For the Past in Isaan, Norteast Thailand

Searching In 2013 in Northeast Thailand, for places where events took place in the 1960s, and the 1940s it is easy to become aware of the many changes that have taken place. Certainly in some cases progress, but in most just movement. And in some cases it is easy to see the advances in standard of living and the losses in quality of life. People in Isaan, even the educated have little interest in the past, unless it is their area of study. No one remembers who laid the first paved roads and their culverts and bridges, but the veterans of the 809th ECB and other units do. No one remembers the Seri Thai locations and the Japanese who the Thai Government welcomed, not really. Camps and memorials are made and some old photos exist, more as oddities than for there use in identifying places or for understanding history. I think I have a lead on Camp Mitrapap , past Kusuman and will be checking that out soon.
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Food Travel and More from Isaan, Northeast Thailand

The meal at wat pa song tham, sakonnakhon, isaan, thailand

In a Thai forest wat the village people prepare food for the monks and then present to them in the traditional way.After the monks have taken their food we all sit down, family fashion, to eat, tell…Continue reading


Songkran Live from Sakon Nakhon Thailand

    Okay, I think I finally have a fairly decent solution to live broadcasting Songkra, I have the Logitech USB cam working on an an old Acer Laptop running XP. No good battery in the…Continue reading


Join me in an Omelet in Khon Kaen Thailand

People who join my twitcasts are always wanting me to go eat so 130512 I finally live broadcast my trip to a food area at beung kaen nakhon. Being in front of a 7-11 makes getting a beer a simple…Continue reading


Isaan Update 08.09.11

Have a lot to do tomorrow so here is an update today Podcast 13 is ready to go. Back to audio, giving video a break. It is a great look at the life of a middle class 30 year old Thai. Nut is spending…Continue reading


Sakon Nakhon to Kalasin to Roi-Et to Surin on the Buses in Northeast Thailand

Sunday morning is a safe time to travel,usually as school is generally closed, people are not going to work and the rest of the world is hung over. I hopped the 0700 Sakon Nakhon to MahasarakhamContinue reading


ChomDao Resort And Restaurant,Sawang Daen Din,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

The ChumDao Resort in Sawang Daen Din,Sakon Nakhon is a popular place for government meetings, conventions and the like. I used to stay there with some regularity, but had not visited in over a year. I has quite please with the state of the restaurant and property, but found the wifi an inprovement over the old system, but not as adequate as I would want.
If you do plan on visiting be sure to book ahead as the property is often fully booked.
The rooms in the hotel, a 3 story structure range from 600 Baht for ground floor to 500 for the upper 2. I will confirm bungalow prices in the next couple weeks. There is no swimming pool, but the Karaoke Bungalows are quite popular with the Thais. I’ll give the wifi 6 out of 10. A bit slow.
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Jit Phumisak Memorial Waritchaphum District,Sakon Nakhon, and More

I first read about and began researching Jit Phumisak on 16 April this year when I read  Jit statue to go up next month. I also read what I found in TeakDoor In Memory of a bright light for the people . A bunch of research led to the Communist Party of Thailand, other people of interest,Free Thai info and American Vietnam War era camps in Northeast Thailand all became part of the focus Larry Westfall and I have been following. We have found what is known as Camp Alpha in Sawang Daen Din,Sakon Nakhon. We will be continuing our search for sites and places and will keep you informed.Panels below video click to zoom to view text

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