Correct. Get killed if too honest. Honest people arent suited to business or gov.
You have to be half crooked or worse.
Honest people sell noodles for 40 baht.
I know Thais from Surin, Burilam, KK and Udon and they are very fluent in central Thai. No problems switching from Isaan to Thai. If you spend years learning it u never forget.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_language
20m to 36m speak central Thai
Its the official language taught in schools so of course Isaan folks speak it.
I was speaking to locals in Thai today.