Bad weather in Issan??

[freddy22]

Just got an email from a TG I spent some time with over a year ago in Patong. She says she's working in Bangkok making only 6000Bt a month (how the hell can you live on that?) She's asking for some money to help rebuild her family's house in Wattananakhon (Sakaeo province) after a storm damaged it so badly her kids have to sleep in the temple. Its the first time she's asked me for anything since I last saw her. Is anyone aware of any nasty weather that happened there? I'm trying to decide if its true or is she bullsh*tting me. At least the story is a change from the sick water buffalo syndrome.

[TanMan]

A cyclone came though SE Asia a few days ago. It rained a lot in Phuket for a couple of days, although there was not much in the way of wind. I don't know what happened in Sakaeo province, but since it is not that far away, I would assume they got about the same weather if not more rain. Maybe more wind as well.

Ask her what kind of damage or have her send you some pictures if you are skeptical and think she is BSing you...

[Tom O]

We had a bad thunderstorm in Sakon Nakhon a couple of years ago and it blew down several houses. You have to remember alot of the houses are of old, rotten wood and come down fairly easily.
Then again, it could be a scam.

[landofsmiles]

You can monitor Sakaeo weather here>>>

Thai Meteorological Department - Sakaeo Weather

...and everywhere else in Thailand. Don't see that it's archived though so you could see what was going on a few days ago.

Monsooning in Patong as I type this!

[Dodger]

Theyv'e had a real lot of rain, it is the time of year when they get the first of the big rains, fairly strong winds also. I agree it wouldn't take much to bring down a wooden house, or any Thai house come to that.

Shame you feel that you have to come on an internet forum and ask strangers for their advice, strangers with no background knowledge of your relationship. The result will be 50% of the replies will be she's pulling the old sick buffalo/broken house routine, the other half will tell you to look after her. So in the end youv'e got to make the call anyway!!

[freddy22]

Thanks for the replies. And Dodger, I've met quite a few BM's on my last 3 trips so you're not all strangers! (I was at MTB nightly the last week of March, I guess I missed you!) I was more trying to find out if Sakaeo had a bit of bad weather than asking for advice on what to do. Of course you're right- its 'up to me' as they say!

[Simbo]

First off most people outside the main population centres CAN manage on B6000 a month. Its only BG that need 40k plus!!! Just waiting for the next one- Tilak big storm come, need water wing for buffalo!!! Sorry Bernie- someone had to be the first!!

[steve w]

555555555555555 joke of the day so far!

[benben]

Bingers stays not too far away from Sa Kaeo province and i can confirm that they've had some pretty bad weather lately. Could hardly hear her on the phone a week or so ago due to the rain pelting off the roof, she had to talk under a towel to dampen the noise. Also had a small land slide in the village and some minor damage to a couple of houses.

[garyteets]

I just came back from Udon 3 days ago after a 4 day trip there and the weather was great. I also took a 2 hour drive between Udon and Khon Kean and didn't see or hear about any bad storms that had happened. Of course that doesn't mean it didn't take place.

Interesting in Udon though is that the Central Corporation bought a huge downtown parcel where there use to be about 30 or so bars. ALL the bars are gone!!! I was a little dissappointed but since I've been in Udon before I knew of other places to go.

[AJAXIED]

It sure is bad weather now. Raining every day, floods in many places. Problem is that so many roads have potholes and you cant see them when its raining a lot. Not fun whilst driving a motorbike ;-)