terrier123

Ask Isan people and they tell you they "wao lao", not wao Isan! They are more than 21 million people, you think you know better?

Joe ( who lives in Isan and wao lao nit noi).

Joe's observation is interesting. I've not lived in the Northeast for nearly 40 years and have travelled there little since then. I have lived in Vientiane and do speak Lao. However, I'd have to take Joe's word for it as to how Issan people really identify themselves in terms of language and culture.

Some Issan people I've come across in Bangkok are very happy to speak with my wife in Lao (she's from Vientiane, but studied in Bangkok and has lived in Thailand for many years). Others prefer to use Thai.

It would be interesting to know to what extent Issan people still identify with their ancestral roots rather than the Thai geopolitical entity they now live in. That is, do they see themselves at heart as displaced Lao rather than Thai?

As history shows most Isan people come from the country Lao and were forced to migrate, hence their appreciation of the Lao language and until not so long ago of the Lao script.

As they were forced to migrate and forced to write Thai script there might be a silent opposition against that, resulting in sticking to their Lao language. They chose for it, as every child learns Thai in school, some get a shock experience when they hear/see Thai for the first time at school.

The contrary might be possible too: Laotians (at the border regions?) might oppose Isan people as different, speaking Isan and not Lao as that is their language.

Also known is that some Lao movement wants Isan back to Lao, although no Isan movement supports such.

Fact is that Isan people have chosen to speak their language Lao, but are able to speak Thai too. Many students in Udon (that I know) university chose Lao as their second language.

I have met numerous Isan people in the beginning of my stay in Isan, who didn't understand my attempts to speak Thai, when translated into Lao by my then wife they suddenly understood, reason for me to abandon my Thai language books, buy and download Lao language and got familiar with Isan people speaking Lao. Now when in Udon meeting people speaking Thai I reject and ask them if they not wao lao? Hilarious and they love it! Nothing better than a farang who speaks Lao as it is showing respect for their roots language!

Joe

Maybe Ajarn Joell could then explain why Isaan is so different in so many Provinces. I generally find that the many Isaan dialects spoken by natives along the river are not understood by those living say 250 kms away.

Judging from the trailer, the film sets out to make fun of the Lao-speaking Issaners. The western guys seem quite innocent and well-mannered. It looks like just another Bangkok put-down. The villagers are portrayed as drunkards, prone to violence and generally stupid.

No wonder there's so much ill-feeling in the Northeast toward Bangkok and the kind of people who find this kind of thing funny.

The trailer's at http://www.movieseer..._(White_Buffalo)

The language of the Isan is called Isan, not Lao.

Correct! why do people (who are generally living outside Isaan) make this mistake? I am not fluent in either but i do get by. Isaan dialects vary region to region BUT ISAAN IS NOT LAOS even though the two do share some common terms. The Laos language also has many dialects. Anyhoo, this is only my opinoin after 9 years living on the Laotian Border - no doubt more learned brethren will contradict me.

I have emailed you direct

How many times was this posted? A friend used to tell me "the only way to make a small fortune in Thailand is to come with a big one". Any business involving locals, who will always and inevitably fail to come up with the readies, is doomed to failure.

Other than that, good luck in your venture.............

How many times was this posted? A friend used to tell me "the only way to make a small fortune in Thailand is to come with a big one". Any business involving locals, who will always and inevitably fail to come up with the readies, is doomed to failure.

Other than that, good luck in your venture.............

Have you read ANY previous postings about this subject? A foreigner CANNOT own land in Thailand for farming or any other use. You may have paid for it but you did not buy it.

Only one thing sure about Thailand, your cash WILL NOT arrive sent via ordinary mail -- not a chance.

Does this mean you have got yourself lumbered with the wrong partner, lower class, perhaps?

sorry you edited your own reply a second before I replied --- yes to both your points as many (90%) of us have.

Don't think this post will run the course.

Maybe it's in there somewhere BUT, which office in Laos did you visit???

Best go NOW as the quid's dropping by the hour again. Soon it will only be worth a Beer Archaaaaaaaaa

We have a 2m square bed and have huge 'cotton flat sheets' (available from Tesco etc); one under the fitted sheet and one for over us -- perfect

One of the few things I've almost worked out in 13 years.

Black uniforms are brown ones before they've been in the washing machine a few times with the corrosive soap powder.

As always, I stand to be corrected.

Solution is easy -- have it all removed and find alternatives through the internet etc. I took me 7 years to realise how poor providers TrueVisions (joke) aka UBC really are. Now 3 years without their dish saving more than 70,000 baht and I don't have to email/call Bangkok, argue with local agent or suffer their repeats et al.

So many things to do in Thailand, why have it in the first place??

Someone should take a poll just how many satisfied customers there are out there.

Several issues have been brought up on a subject important to all of us -- especially if that guy in Phuket gets his way.

When I enquired more than 12 years ago, I remember there was some legislation preventing cover for Brits out of the country for more than 6 months ie ex-pats. But, as always, rules get changed and I stand to be corrected.

When I reached 60 and after 6 years without claims, my Thai policy premium actually went down by 5,000 baht . I enquired why and was told that more than 50% of the cover had been removed because of my age -- policy cancelled. Unfortunately most of the policy was in Thai although I could get emails answered in English.

I don't understand why some of the scribes reduce this subject to a political platform; but does anyone have experience of the medical insurance advertised on Thaivisa?

Now that info would be helpful.

how about removing/banning/forbidding minivan drivers. Thi

nk of the space created and the number of lives saved.

The Pullman is easily the best......relatively expensive but pretty luxurious......worth pampering yourself for a couple of nights,certainly.

Also nearby is a new boutique style hotel,the Glacier,which looks pretty impressive on its website and cheaper.

One time I stayed at a place called the Bussarakarn which was quite good......800 baht including breakfast,although the breakfast was typical of many Thai run hotels and nothing to get excited about.

I stayed Bussarakm 3 times and paid 1,100 online. Where did you book for only 800?

If anyone in Udon/Isaan has had recent personal experiences with either AEK or Plaomo (Panyavejinter) Hospitals; can you please advise either in open forum or pm which you found to be the better of the two.

Thanks.

This is Termits, and now they eat wood in your house.

Maybe you are near to a river same as me. Termites and another hatch/swarm twice a year and are usually collected by the locals to feed the chickens full of protein -- so they say

Yes, they all weigh 45 kg (even if really 80). What would Grahem Nash think about this? AND all the Hollies fans

I bought a pcket from Makro and it's called "Aro Tea Dust". This makes the orange coloured tea and is drunk hot or cold.

You do not need a company to rent land, your Thai wife's name will do.

In general, the price is about 1000 B per rai per year. Perhaps now, with high taro prices, it will be higher.

Good land for cassava is in very high demand, finding it available for rent is questionable.

If you do find some, check it carefully, make sure it does not flood ETC.

The only way to find some, is by networking with (Thai) people around you until you're in the right place at the right time.

Good luck

Good info., so what is the crop grown in Isaan where they plant apparently dry sticks which

grow into a crop and some Europeans call potatoes?

Thanks guys -- 3 great answers

Does anyone know if there is a term in the Thai language for 100 grams. Apparently some market items are sold using this weight.

Here on Samui the rotary club organised a list of expats willing to donate with their blood type along with their contact details. The hospitals all have this database. If blood is required the simply contact the people via phone or email. It may pay to organise something similar. No help now I understand but worth thinking about.

Good luck with the appeal And Fingers crossed for the guy

Great system but how are donations transported if not local? I am RH O neg (I think compatible) but 250 kms from Roi et

Easy and a lot cheaper to do it yourself. Every embassy web-site has the instructions