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Sawadee Khrap

Sorry to have the blog so devoid of photos – it’s not been nice weather here in Chiang Mai for a while.  Still not cleared up all the smoke, so the Military is flying special planes around seeding with water to increase the humidly and cause the smoke/dust to settle. 

So far there has been some improvement but still not a lot – seeding will continue I think for the next few days – the weather people predict that rain is expected in 3–4

days and that should do the trick.  You can see the vapour trail coming from the tubes near the middle of the plane.  I use the best telephoto we have but the distance and smoke make it difficult to really get a good shot.   Hope it works. 

We have been wearing masks every time we go out and have had to keep the windows closed at night to keep the dust out – that makes it very warm to sleep – I don’t like the air-conditioners running any more often than they have too – they really dry out the air and give us sore throats and coughs. We turn them on to cool down the place and then shut them off at night and use the fans.

Sawadee Khrap

Looks like the haze-smoke crisis my be over in Chiang Mai – today we finally had a breeze and the smoke cleared – at least to the point that we can see the old city now – that’s about 15–20 blocks. Our air-filter filter is about 20% used up but it did do the job for the apt. Dust at a minimum and coughing and breathing OK. We did have masks to use if we went outside– but hopefully we can put them away now.

I didn’t take any shots of the mess – but there are some great images on NASA’s pages

We will see tomorrow if it holds. It really put a damper on trying to set up model photo sessions – can’t shoot in this weather and gThaiStudio wants it’s photos to show the boys in natural settings – with a few staged studio type shots. Now ads can be put in the local chat rooms to find models. Tomorrow Tasanai will go and contact the models he has lined up so far and set dates to shoot. I get to watch – Nice to be retired and just a spectator – no ulcers or stress here.

Ciao

Frank

Sawadee Khrap

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Mae Hong Son provinces are really in trouble, smoke levels have reached the Haze Disaster point but officials are not ready to declare a full disaster zone. Smoke levels have reached the 300 microgram/cubic meter in Chiang Mai and the surrounding area – officials have been handing out over 130,000 masks so far and more to come – we got ours yesterday – Thai Airway has cancelled flights and delays are also occurring between Bangkok and Chiang Rai airports –

Burning violators will be fined 2,000 Baht if caught starting fires in the North.

Check here for the latest from The Bangkok Post – you can also check the links for “Chiang Mai Mail” and “CityLife Magazine, Chiang Mai” that are listed in the side-bar column.

We are staying inside – not much fun though – and it is really hampering our getting models for the new web-site, can’t take any pictures in this weather and we don’t have the studio set up yet.

Ciao

Sawadee Khrap

Today, Chiang Mai has the worst air pollution since I’ve been here – reports are 270 micrograms/cubic liter (I think that’s the correct measurements) – 120+ is unhealthy — we are way beyond that —– severe fires in the mountains around us has created a dense cloud of smoke that is just hanging in the Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son areas – no breezes to clear it out.  But now I hear that the majority of the smoke is coming from Burma.
I see that the LA fires are starting again – high dry winds and terrific fires – We don’t have the fire intensity, just the smoldering smoke – and a hell of a lot of it.

We are staying put in the house and keeping our air-purifier running. If you look out our window we can only see about 1 block away – looks like “toolie” fog (is that how you spell it) in the Sacramento Valley – bad. Eyes and throat burn, nose stopped up — Where are the breezes — Let the wind blow.

Just a weather update — updates later

Ciao

Sawadee Khrap

แฟรงค์ นายสตรอม

Yep – that’s my name in Thai

but I can’t pronounce it yet, so don’t ask me please

Trivia – but I find it important.

Frank

Sawadee Khrap

Well we went to our first pool party on the 15^th floor last night – nice crowd there – relaxed and friendly, although we only knew a couple of the farangs and none of the boys.  Here’s a few shots:

 

 

Not any lighting so the flash was very confined – but you can really see the atmosphere – nice and cozy, dark – just right to meet new friends – I am really looking forward to upcoming parties – as the weather gets hotter and clothing gets less – a night-swimming pool party will be just the thing.

I left the party about 10ish and took Dan (visiting guest) to see a local boy club – went to see the show at “New My Way” — great show, models, dancing and lip-sync’ing lady-boys. Nicely built boys – good show.

Tasanai went with a couple of friends and went dancing at one of the Discos – I don’t like the loud music so he has to find friends who like to dance and can stand the noise – I guessed they danced the night away – I got back home about 1 AM — he didn’t get in till after 3 AM —–  and the cigarette smoke smell – we both reeked of it —– when will they outlaw smoking at these venues – would really be nice – but I ramble now ——

Sooooooooo

Ciao

 

Sawadee Khrap

Well today is Saturday and I haven’t got a thing to put into the Blog – it’s 37 C. today – you can convert it to  F. by using the calculator to the right – try it out.

It’s not really hot – or at least I don’t think it’s that hot – but the air quality is terrible – burning in the forest, pollution from cars, it’s really bad today – the official warning is to stay inside unless you have to go out.  I thought I left that in the States – damn.

We are going to a pool party on the 15^th floor (top floor – roof) of our condo bldg tonight – it’s a gay venue, pool-side, warm evening, lots of boys – at least that’s what we’ve been told – I’ll try to get some pics and post them tomorrow.

After the party – I am going to take a friend  , Dan – actually Tin’s house mate, ( Hi Tin, if your reading this please leave a comment ) who’s visiting from Oakland, to several of the boy show clubs here in Chiang Mai – that’s in case he doesn’t score at the party. (wink)

Well helping Tasanai with the house cleaning – so that’s all for now

Later,

Sawadee Khrap

We are definitively starting summer here – the temp’s climbing every day now – today it’s 35 C — 95 F  [but a dry heat – ha ha]  getting HOT — but thank God there nothing for me to do –  being retired.     

 Important tasks today:

1. What for breakfast  
2. Appointment to get my beard trimmed – badly needed. 
3. Post something on the Blog   
4. Relax – stay out of the sun, nice breeze  

Maybe this evening, when it cools down, go to get a massage. – nice way to end a hectic day. 

Ciao

Frank