Queenslander

I live in a village in Isan, where like you they keep cows. I have often asked myself the same questions. I am informed by my friend Pi Loong who keeps cows, that he breeds to sell. He will try and breed each year hoping to get to calfs. He will then sell off one calf and one older cow. However, like you, I am not too sure that it is a money earner, more a sense of standing in the village!

Just what this country needs, another unqualified, bored teacher who is even unsure of his ability to teach his chosen subject. I thought our schools had an over supply of that type of teacher. Go for it, you should fit in really well, but why stop there? Aim higher, University lecturer for example, LOL.

Why not? Being conned twice is considered, by some, to be double the fun!

Sadly, it is not just Thailand. On a recent trip to Cambodia my Thai wife was told she had to pay the 'arrivals' immigration officer tea money to get her passport back - she gave him THB40

Unfortunately she was in the Asian, no Visa queue, whilst I was in the faring Visa queue so I didn't see what was happening, and didn't find out about it until we had formally entered Cambodia. By then it is too late!

Corruption will not be eradicated in SEA, certainly in my life time, because officials don't want it to end.

Being moved to an inactive should be only the first step. A full investigation of the matter should then be conducted. This investigation should, by necessity, include examination of their (and their families) bank accounts, land, house, car ownership to determine if their assets are significantly above their earnings. If they are then they should be stripped of their assets. Only then will public servants, maybe, reconsider their actions. Removing the ill-gotten gains is a much better deterrent than gaol - though both (f they are guilty as accused) would be nice! 

I just see where the nearest Hash House Harriers are situated, find out where and when their next run is being held, and take off for the weekend. Bit of exercise, meet new people, enjoy a few beers and some socialisation, return home refreshed…works for me! Off to Hua Hin soon for a run with their Kennel…worth a try.

Living in a completely Thai (Isan) speaking area, it is sort of par for the course. So, do what I do, sit back and enjoy the ride…and the beer!

Absolutely bucketing down in Pak Thong Chai area…so good for the rice crops!!

A run and a drink with the Hua Hin Hash House Harriers, not necessarily in that order. Great way to enjoy a social evening, meet locals, both Thai and Farang…OnOn

G'day again

Put your email address into the next link and I will contact you. Not with intellectually inadequate/useless information, but information about Isan from someone who 'actually' not drunkenly lives here!

Edit by SlyAnimal - Please pm the user, rather than posting your e-mail address

Personally I would arrive BKK and get the bus to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) this is the beginning of Isan and a large enough city to provide you with language courses, gymnasiums and the Isan lifestyle. From Korat you can catch a bus or train to every part of rural Isan, allowing you to visit different towns for a day or two then if it is not what you want return to your base in Korat - sample before you buy. Then when you find an area you like and feel comfortable with, move there. I would recommend you look at Pak Thong Chai - very rural, simple lifestyle but being only 41kms from Korat providing access when needed to shops, entertainment and gyms. I would also recommend Buriram, both the town and the province. Buriram is a bustling town, the name meaning 'City of Happiness' and is close to the neighbouring provinces of Sa Kaeo and as I said, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Surin.

I currently live on a farm in Kun Lakhon, which is Isan to a 't'…subsistence rice farmers, no bars, one local shop and kilometre after kilometre of rice! Enjoy

I am trying (not really) to work out why it took the BIB and or Immigration 2 years to locate a redheaded Russian in Phuket. No,,do not tell me…corruption…never!!

Great idea…would certainly help me. Keep the thread going

click on the speaker to hear the word:

tuuk

Sadly what Thaksin says the elected, puppet, government does. As long as narcissist/corrupt Thaksin is (informally) running this country democracy will only be a dream.

How come they never substitute the narcotics, let them run - by turning the mule - and identify and arrest the Thai connection? Too close to home..someone in authority or paying 'tea money'??

Is it possible that the Government/Red Shirt supporters who continually claim that the Yingluck government was democratically elected are either politically naive or socially inept. Seemingly they cannot, or refuse, to see that it is Thaksin who really governs and orchestrates government/political strategy, and he was not part of the democratic election process. It is his interference in due political process that is the real issue here. I am surprised that expats cannot see that democratic government and Thaksin initiated government are not one and the same thing!! This does not mean that I support the current political situation, but at least I know and accept why it has/and needed to happen.

Renta Crowd going home…money must have run out!!

Sergeant Schulz advice…​I know nothing… Ignore the woman, sorry, scheming, lying, blackmailer after a quick buck and just get on with your life..

Is this the US Government that readily and willingly granted convicted criminal Thaksin Shinawatra a Visa. Perhaps they may wish to consider whether their actions contributed to the problem by, seemingly, supporting the actions of a fleeing felon. Seems the US hypocrites now want to be seen as the saviours of Thai democracy rather than the ones who stoked the fires!!

Congratulations on your first trip to this beautiful part of the country. As one who is married ( 10 years now) to an Isaan woman I know that there are genuine lades and families in this area. Good luck with your relationship - me? - could not be happier!!

To understand the history of Thailand you might wish to consider reading it as part of the history of South East Asia. I would recommend reading

A new history of Southeast Asia, edited by M. C. Riklefs, Publisher Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 9780230212138