HOLY SMOKES

An annual problem each spring here in Thailand is smoke caused by the northern farmers

burning the stubble off their land. The government has tried to dissuade them 

from this practice but the cost of labour, time and fuel to plough

the land is too great and so the procedure continues. The wind brings the smoke south

and causes difficulties for people with breathing problems and there are 

advisories for people to stay indoors whenever possible or to wear masks outdoors.

In this photo you can see the pall of smoke hanging over the city
Having asthma, I do not find the situation very appealing and I have tried wearing one of the masks that are readily available.

It is really difficult to sneeze with one of these on and when I try to drink my wine cooler, most of it ends up in my beard or on my t-shirt. Fortunately, most of the smoke  blows away by mid afternoon and the evenings are not too bad. I think it should all be over
in another few days.

The situation has not curbed my photographic efforts. Here are some snaps taken 

over the past week

There are beautiful flowers all over town

Along there river 

Evening fruit market

Outside a Christian church - preparing for a pageant

Parking lot outside the church

Colourful kids playing on steps of the bank

Hot pink lady - cool sleek bike