The other day on twitter a discussion came up about festivals, in this case the Rocket Festival in Yasothon. Now in nearly 18 years in the area I have attended nearly every major and many lesser festivals at least once and in many cases more than once and one thing I have learned is that if a person is happy at a Tourism Authority of Thailand sponsored festival there are at least a dozen more enjoyable and more authentic festivals going on in the immediate area.
The challenge is to find interesting,enjoyable events to attend. If you know, for instance that it is rocket festival season look at the government websites for those provinces that hold rocket festivals. As a matter of fact flipping through provincial websites periodically can deliver useful information (more…)
Arriving on the outskirts of Khon Kaen I confirmed my opinion that traffic is growing by leaps and bounds in the past 5 months and was reinforced over the next few days. We stayed along Beung Kaen Nakhon at the B and b Hotel. At 550 Baht per night and wifi that works it is good value at a good location. By good location I mean morning walks around the Beung and quiet. Don’t forget toclick on the title to view the entire post. (more…)
We arrived In Khon Kaen Thursday morning and are staying at the BB Hotel across the street from the Beung and it looks like businesses are dying out with speed. Two big ones on the west side of the Beung are gone as well as another on the east side corner across from the Beung. One, old timer, on the west side is not only closed it is torn down and the land for sale.
A hot sunny day turned into and downpour the into a mighty fine sunset here in Khon Kaen. Is this an advance warning of the wet weekend that has been predicted or just an end of the rainy season downpour.
The gym at the Sakon Nakhon Hospital was locked tight both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, so I found myself at Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Park to get in a bit of exercise. Although I often visit the park on weekdays, I see little of it on weekends, so was quite surprised at the number of folks who take advantage of the space for relaxation
Well, here it is more than 1 month based in Sakon Nakhon and in a domestic relationship, following,bacically, 5 years on my owna dn based in Khon Kaen. Sakon Nakhon is much smaller than Khon Kaen, but like all Thai cities has just about everything needed for daily life The differences ocuur in the area of technology, computer hardware and accesories. In Khon Kaen because of my location I was walking distance to about 8 or more restaaurants or places for an evening beer, while in Sakon Nakhon there are a number of choices, I do miss Beung Kaen Nakhon on occasion.
As far as my search for and “investigation” of those things Kammathana Dhutanga Buddhist the past month is way beyond anything I could have imagined. Visiting the places where Ajahns Sao and Mun spent not only some time, but entire “rains Retreats” and reveisited over the years. Meeting people who’s family have been supporters of the monks for nearly 100 years is providing insights I never imagined. Seeing the impact Ajahns Sao and Mun and their students have had on Buddhism and the communiies here.
More westerners overseas are probably aware and support Kammathana Dhutanga (Forest) Buddhism than in Thailand. Ajahn Sumedho and other western students of the forest Bhikkhus have not only been accepted internationally, but the number of Monasteries of this lineage are opening and supported around the world.
Here in Thailand it5 has been reported from many sources that the majority of monks do not keep the vinaya are overweight and are supported by a small part of the population, while the Dhutanga Bhikkhus sit on the floor to eat their meal of the day out of an almsbowl and spend their days in some form of meditation.
Anyhow day 12 it’s off to Khon Kaen to visit some folks back there, then to Kalsin for a day or to isiting as well and then back to Sakon Nakhon as Daeng has to be back to work on the 16th.
I will be posting more about Forestt Buddhism the monks. supporter and places. Am now waitng to get more information about river and reservoir levels in preperation of reporting on flooding if and when it happens
The webcam,twitcasting and the usual posts will continue as always.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions send them on I always try to respond as soon as possible.
Otherwisw y’all Take Care
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 task.
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March 4th, 2013 
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The other day on twitter a discussion came up about festivals, in this case the Rocket Festival in Yasothon. Now in nearly 18 years in the area I have attended nearly every major and many lesser festivals at least once and in many cases more than once and one thing I have learned is that if a person is happy at a Tourism Authority of Thailand sponsored festival there are at least a dozen more enjoyable and more authentic festivals going on in the immediate area.
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