Visit to Phai's Sugar Cane Farm

Phai was excited about going out to see her sugar cane farm we bought two years ago. Unfortunately her excitement turned to disappointment when she realized the drought has killed her crop. As you can see in the photos below the pond is all but empty, the ground is dry and hard and while the sugar cane is green it will not mature into a harvestable crop. We will have to replant based on what the rains bring this coming rainy season. Here is an excerpt from the "Bangkok Post" English language web site:

"Severe drought in 31 provinces

Published: 20 Apr 2013 at 12.01Online news: Local News

A total of 48 provinces nationwide have been hit by hot weather and are declared drought disaster zones, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Saturday.

Of the total, 31 provinces are being hard hit by severe drought, the department said.

The provinces are Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Sukhothai, Phrae, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Petchabun, Uthai Thani, Kalasin, Udon Thani, Mahasarakham, Yasothon, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi-Et, Amnatcharoen, Loei, Si Sa Ket, Buriram, Surin, Mukdahan, Chaiyaphum, Buengkhan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Chanthaburi and Ranong."

Nong  Bua Lamphu is where we live. For me I have always read about the hardships of farming but it sure hits home when you actually see it for yourself. We are fortunate that for us we do not rely on the farms for our income but many here do. Many of those will need to go to Bangkok to work to make up for what they are losing on their farms. At least they are fortunate that unemployment is only 1.5 percent in Thailand and jobs are plentiful in the factories in Bangkok.

It is not as hot today as far as the temperature goes but with humidity it "feels like" 108℉. 

Here is the proof.

At least there is some breeze (6mph). 

Don't forget, you can click on any image to see it full size.





We had some excitement today. I enabled the iPhones for her son, daughter and Phai. The plans here are prepaid so after you buy the sim card you can go to any seven eleven store and buy coded cards to add money to your phone. Phai's son bought 6 dollars worth and Phai and daughter $3 each. We added it to Phai's phone and got the instant message from AIS phone service the money was added. About 10 minutes later we got an instant message that the money was used up and needed to be topped off. What we didn't think about is that the phone also uses the internet and the data ate up that initial fill very quickly even though we weren't really using the internet. I did research on the companies web site and found they have good prices for data, messaging and calling plans. For about $10 a month you get a good number of minutes, messages and unlimited data. Well, $10 is a lot here so her daughter and son have chosen to turn off any internet features and only use the phones for calling. I explained to Phai that they are now using phones that could be sold over here for between $300 and $500 to just make phone calls. I said why don't they just keep their old phones. It was explained to me the prestige of having an iPhone here is vary important to them and she would not consider asking for the phones back. Oh well, live and learn. I will pick up a data plan so I can use Phai's phone during our travels for maps, translation and on the go research. 

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Phai and her son inspect the drought damage to her sugar cane.

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When we bought two years ago this pond was full of water. Now it is almost empty.

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The "open air" outhouse at her farm. No water to flush with though.

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Even the ants or termites or whatever built this mound in the shelter have left.

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In case you thought I was kidding about being ever vigilant as a tall person here. This sharp metal is at my face height.


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