Scouse123

I remember the early nineties onwards. I visited here in the late eighties, I was a short two week stay visitor with Kuoni, so irt was basically a package holiday. But, in the Nineties, when I just got a flight and found my way around, Thailand was absolutely fantastic.

I agree with you. I'm up in Isaan, and many people on the forums say it's boring. Up here, you really need a car to get to the best spots, or you can fly out from the nearest local airport. I moved here because of my partner, and honestly, when I first arrived, there was nothing. I was recovering from surgery at the time, so the peace and quiet actually helped a lot. These days, it’s a busy and thriving little town. Still rural, but we have banks, large shopping centres (though not quite malls), some decent eateries, and plenty of food and drink spots that have opened up. What I like most is that it’s non-touristy. Life moves at a normal, slow pace — typical rural Isaan. Lately, more foreigners have been moving up this way. Many are people who can no longer afford to live in Pattaya and are trying their luck in the countryside. That is what one or two have said. There's also a noticeable number of African schoolteachers here as well now. They are a nice bunch of people. That said, most foreigners don’t stick around long. Some are just visiting with their Thai partners from other parts of the country, while others give it a try living here. But many eventually leave — they miss the lights, energy, and excitement of the more touristy areas. I should imagine in another ten years, it will still be Isaarn as we know it with a few minor changes. However, it won't be the money grabbing and gouging that is found in tourist hot spots.

Does that include Koh Lanta? I have a British friend who is about to relocate there, and he asked us to go down and meet up. My other half refused and wouldn't talk about it further. She just told me to go on my own. Funnily enough, she mentioned visiting Bali; she went there about 25 years ago, but after yours and other comments, I think I'll pass on it.

The Muslims I have known in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the South of Thailand have been fine; the Malaysians (whom we met up with in Cambodia) drank alcohol as well. I didn't suddenly like them because they drank, I liked them because they were nice, easygoing people and religion was hardly mentioned, except for them stating the restrictions they had in Malaysia. It's the fanatics I cannot be bothered with and their overt hypocrisy, and those constantly wanting preferential treatment because they are Muslims, I have found in my experience, it's mainly the Pakistani Muslims and some of the African Muslims, such as Somalis. They want to bring their baggage and rules with them. One is a failed state, and the other struggles to get its act together, despite having a population of 215 million.

I am thinking of visiting two islands later this year: Koh Chang, which I know, and then crossing over to Koh Kood for 3 nights.

Except on the full moon parties, I suppose.

Nope, They will expect you to rock up at a government test centre and sit in a classroom. The fact that they won't be speaking English and you won't understand a word of it is irrelevant.

The law states..........🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Exactly, And that would change pronto if ever we had someone from the DVLA in a position of power to come to Thailand and witness how they drive and how they obtain their licences.

I paid someone 200 baht , at my last renewal to sit through it.

I don't follow it all, but I know I am on a 5-year licence.

Yes, Because if you were to transfer into the blue passport before the expiry of the stamps in the maroon passports, they would shift about three pages' worth of information across, I know because I did it. Then your Virgin Blue passport will have about three pages taken up additionally with nonsense.

The mind boggles at these guys, could you imagine a police officer getting away with that in Europe?

They will be complaining then, Where have all the tourists gone? Then they will blame everything on the lack of tourists from Iran to Ukraine, instead of where the blame truly lies, firmly at their meddling door. For those who criticised Vietnam, you wouldn't encounter this nonsense over there.

I think it's about time those two clowns who submitted such a lawsuit get a life.

You know, I keep hearing this tired line that “Vietnamese are cold” — usually from people who think smiling at a waitress gives them moral superiority. Let’s be honest: if someone’s idea of friendliness is a forced grin and a “yes, boss” attitude, then, yeah, Vietnam might confuse them. But here’s the difference — Vietnamese people smile when they mean it. What a concept. I've had more genuine moments in a street-side beer joint in Da Nang than in a dozen chain pubs in Thailand’s tourist belts. The warmth is there, but it’s not spoon-fed — you’ve got to earn it. If you go in barking orders, waving your arms, and acting like hotel staff are your butlers, well... prepare to be met with the national expression: politely unimpressed. As for the country itself? Vietnam is a gem. The beaches? Unreal. You’ve got everything from sleepy fishing villages to party strips that don’t feel like they’ve been dropped out of a neon-soaked karaoke video. And best of all, you won’t need to remortgage your life for a cocktail or seafood platter. Prices are sane, which is more than I can say about certain islands a bit further west, where pad Thai now costs the GDP of Laos. The nightlife? It’s got soul. Hanoi has jazz bars that feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Saigon has rooftops where you can watch the madness below while sipping something dangerously cheap. And you know what’s nice? You don’t feel like you’re being herded around in a human zoo. You can talk, laugh, or sit and watch without someone trying to upsell you a glowing wristband every 10 minutes. I like all three countries — Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia — for different reasons. Each has its quirks. But too many people forget that being a guest in a country doesn’t entitle you to be a jerk. Respect goes both ways. A smile means more when it isn’t part of the job description. So if you want plastic grins and robotic yes-men, go to Disneyland. If you want real people, real food, and real moments — Vietnam’s waiting, and they might even smile at you... If you don’t act like a prat.

Yeah, It's narrow-minded and a case of parents stuck in their old ways. I have the old mother here who insists on doing the rice fields, much as I have explanined with the costs involved, we can buy it cheaper and it's fresh, well milled, no stones, but she won't listen.

He wasn't happy about the planned side move step from the Interior Ministry and Phea Thai, trying to consolidate power. Nothing to do with caring about the country.

Yeah, terrible. Just the worst. That's why Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc keep getting international tourism awards while Pattaya clings to its 1980s glory days. Let me guess — never been outside of Pattaya but decided you’re a regional infrastructure expert after watching a YouTube vlog from 2015?

You mean you didn't see it all full on in HCMC? The place rocks! That's true, and they can be standoffish, but once you are in with them, they are fantastic I found.

Who, apart from your mate, leaves it until now with only one page in their passport when they need to renew their extension of stay?

Yes, of course — because the real barrier to success is a nationwide epidemic of niche, ornamental degrees. Thailand: a land tragically oversupplied with underwater basket weavers......😁

Isaarn isn't for everyone. I forced myself to like it initially, for the benefit of my partner, who is very family-oriented. Over many years, our village life has evolved into a bustling, thriving community. I've always liked living near water and would again, given half a chance.

Sure, it’s universal. I’m sure somewhere in Yorkshire or probably Lancashire, there’s a physics grad running a chip van too — the global epidemic of noodle sellers with MBAs, right? So yes, it’s universal in theory. But Thailand has turned “doing nothing with a degree” into a lifestyle — complete with family support, social acceptance, and often, zero consequence. That’s the bit that stands out.

We've quite a few well-educated Thais in my area — people who have studied at respected Thai universities and even abroad. You’d think this kind of background would lead to ambitious careers. But their current lifestyles tell a very different story. Here are just a few examples: 1. A woman educated in the U.S. speaks excellent English and now runs a basic noodle shop. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s a far cry from the career she was once headed for. Fortunately, she has land and property inherited from her mother to keep things ticking over. 2. A local man proudly displays his university degree and old campus photos on the wall of his hardware shop. These days, he spends his time selling light bulbs, plugs, and screws. Not exactly what you'd expect from someone with higher education, but it pays the bills. 3. Two brothers, both university graduates — again, full photo shoots of their graduation days proudly framed — now spend their time working (sporadically) in their parents’ village shop selling fresh eggs. When they’re not glued to the computer gaming, that is. There seems to be a strange mix of pride in having attended university, but not necessarily in what you do with the education. The degree and graduation photos serve more as a badge of status than for any productive purpose. Many don’t seem interested in pursuing anything beyond the family business, some gaming time, and the hope of eventual inheritance. This isn’t a dig at villagers — it’s a reflection on the difference between potential and actual ambition. Many foreigners seem to think Thai graduates all head off to high-flying jobs in Bangkok. They need to spend a week in the provinces. Degrees here often lead straight back to the village, not because of failure, but because of comfort, face-saving, and the absence of pressure to do more. I’ve come to realise that for many Thai families, university is less about preparing someone for real-world challenges and more about prestige. It’s something you do to "save face" — for the family name, for social status, for the graduation day photo. That image of the child in a gown next to their proud parents matters more than what comes after. Unfortunately, once the ceremony is over, a lot of graduates return to the same quiet pace of village life. The degree gets framed and hung next to the family Buddha image, and life goes on much as it did before — only now with a bit more pride and a little less urgency to improve. It’s the result of an education system that often discourages independent thought, critical thinking, or entrepreneurship. You follow rules, memorise answers, and keep your head down. Then you graduate, and you're not trained to do anything, not in a practical or competitive sense. That system produces polite, well-mannered graduates — but not necessarily dynamic ones. Contrast this with what you see in Vietnam or the Philippines. There, university isn’t just a ceremony — it’s a stepping stone to something more. Young people hustle. They teach overseas, apply for foreign jobs, start small businesses, freelance online, and push forward. They know that no one's going to hand them land or a shop. They either make something of their degree, or they don’t eat. There’s drive, hunger, and risk-taking. In Thailand, especially in the provinces, comfort wins. If your parents already own land, you’ve a place to live, and you’ve enough money to eat and buy a Hilux, then why push yourself? I’m just sharing what I see — no malice. However, we should stop pretending that every degree holder in Thailand aspires to corporate greatness in Bangkok. A lot of them are right back in the village, living quietly — with a diploma on the wall, a phone in hand, and not much intention of doing more. Anyone else seeing the same?