On 7/16/2025 at 3:17 PM, transam said:

Isaan is a big area, there is even a beach if you know where to go.

I have been here longer than you, so my eyes are open, and waaaay more open than the OP, he probably doesn't even know there are 7/11's in most streets now......

 there is even a beach if you know where to go....On the Banks of The Mekhong in Nong Khai, Yer Mean ??

1 minute ago, Blueman1 said:

 there is even a beach if you know where to go....On the Banks of The Mekhong in Nong Khai, Yer Mean ??

Pattaya Noi...

 

https://www.lemon8-app.com/experience/แพอาหารพัทยาน้อย-อุบล?region=th

2 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

 there is even a beach if you know where to go....On the Banks of The Mekhong in Nong Khai, Yer Mean ??

Several areas along the Mekong. Pretty lame. Best thing is to drive or ride. Chiang Khan is better than most Isaan cities. Phanom Rung to Chiang Khan is a long drive. CM has more highlights in 5km.

1 minute ago, transam said:

Pattaya Noi...

 

https://www.lemon8-app.com/experience/แพอาหารพัทยาน้อย-อุบล?region=th

That Link Doesn't Work M8.....

Just now, Blueman1 said:

That Link Doesn't Work M8.....

Google Pattaya Noi, Ubon Ratchathani...😊

You have to copy and paste links here....

Just now, SMIAI said:

You have to copy and paste links here....

Oh, O.K.

 

Just now, Blueman1 said:

Oh, O.K.

 

On a mac just highlight and select 'go to'

2 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

I guess you are one of them?

 

 

You are not very good at guessing, are you?

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

 

I still want to know why they live in Issarn. A few have answered.

 

I can think of a few dozen reasons not to.

 

 

Bangkok is best living option with holidays on the water in south. 🌟

I personally like the quiet life. The first 27 years of my life in the UK, the nearest village (not town or city) was 3 miles away, I prefer beautiful countryside to beaches. If I want to go to the beach I can just catch an aeroplane and spend a few days there (that is all I want)

2 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Why would I want to live in the Isaan ( Korat ) area where:

 

I have a 2BR ( UNFURNISHED ) HOUSE that I rent @ 4,500bt a month - furnished it for under 60kbt - what most people want for a house "deposit", with a fenced yard, 3 trees, veggie & flower garden, gated community, located 20 minutes outside center city KORAT.

 

*) Immigration Office 15 minutes away.

*) 4 major stores and 7-11 between 12-15 minutes away.

*) over 1/2 way ( 4+ hours ) between family members both north and south.

*) Personal electric tryke transportation for local  - no car expences. Round  trip taxi to bank or bus station  280bt.

*) weekend activities, concerts, festivals, entertainment and etc at socker field or Temple ( non religious activities )

*)  mom & pop stores, restaurants, strip mall 4 + minutes away from house.

*) fishing lake ( natural ) 2 minutes from my door - no beach.

*) friendly NEIGHBORS and a resident soi dog and 3 cats greet / visit you all the time

*) 5G WiFi unlimited.

 

Spending a AVERAGE around 30,000bt +/- IN KORAT monthly living expenses, ( we do travel to BKK where we own a condo ) and take holidays when wanted.  Bank around 30,000bt monthly giving the wife 5,000bt spending / savings money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I was on such a low budget I would also convince myself that Korat was the place for me,

11 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

If I was on such a low budget I would also convince myself that Korat was the place for me,

 

What's wrong with being on a budget?

That's a good reason to move out there, unless money is no object ... but how many expats don't budget properly and run out of money? 

 

 

14 hours ago, ChristineC said:

Sadly, I’ve met many granddads who never see their kids or grandkids as they’re being scammed by a Thai woman 30 years (or more) their junior.

 

 

...and have you also met many Farangs who have scammed Thai women?

6 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

What's wrong with being on a budget?

That's a good reason to move out there, unless money is no object ... but how many expats don't budget properly and run out of money? 

 

 

 

 

Everyone is on a budget.

 

A smaller budget restricts your options

On 7/16/2025 at 3:12 PM, TheTightArseTraveller said:

 

I run a company in Australia from a laptop

What do you do? Your life sounds just fine to me.

I nearly had something similar in CR but the wife turned out to be a scammer, so I left her.

 

On 7/16/2025 at 10:12 AM, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Because its so backwards...

I love that there is pretty much zero crime, we dont lock our doors, its super chilled out in every way.

I lived the 'Western' way busting my balls all day for shiiiiiit I didnt actually need for three decades.  Now I have cows, buffalo, chickens, dogs, a sh!t cat, and and endless view of the rice paddies and a golden sunset over them.  Super cheap here for food, beer is cheap as it gets....

I run a company in Australia from a laptop on a crappy bamboo table looking over said rice paddies.

I hoon around on my motorbike in thongs and a tshirt and hardly see any traffic unless I head into Krasang.

Oh, and I love walking the buffalo out and in every day, plus watching all the neighbours walk theirs past our door...

 

I think that covers most things.

Well said, and someone choose the concrete jungle instead, unbelievable 

 

Well, I enjoy cities as well, and there is a time for everything, but if I have to choose where I am more happy, you and me got it right. 

 

Still not for everyone 

"""If I was on such a low budget I would also convince myself that Korat was the place for me"""

 

When a Thai factory worker goes from living on 8-10,000 a month to 30,000bt+, and doesn't have to work, it sure is a better life, and since I am 80 and she is 54, she has security for after my passing. The "low budget" we live on has allowed:

*) BKK CONDO is mortgage free - 6 building complex, much 'people traffic / noise.'

*) village HOUSE is mortgage free - in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, 1 hour to any form of a 'city'.

 

We choose KORAT. because we prefer a quieter life but 'near' civilization,  AT THIS TIME.

On 7/16/2025 at 3:16 PM, Harrisfan said:

Food can be cheap anywhere in Thailand. Beer isnt cheap in Thailand. Cheaper in Dan Murphys.

Obviously not been to rural Isaan. Can still get big Chang for 50 THB.

I though reading this thread was going to be good ( as I live in issan Sakhon Nakhon)

but the same three or four babies talking buffalo sh** at each other spoils it.  

11 minutes ago, john11k said:

I though reading this thread was going to be good ( as I live in issan Sakhon Nakhon)

but the same three or four babies talking buffalo sh** at each other spoils it.  

 

 

....and that is your contribution to the discussion, is it?

 

 

Stunning!

On 7/16/2025 at 2:58 PM, Harrisfan said:

Apart from reading books, walking, gym there really isn't much to do and those things can be done anywhere.

Yet you stay there for months on end anyway.  Masochistic and weird. 

On 7/16/2025 at 3:02 PM, Harrisfan said:

Well no. I'm there now.

I'm planning a trip there. Let me know when you've left. 

On 7/16/2025 at 2:58 PM, Harrisfan said:

Apart from reading books, walking, gym there really isn't much to do and those things can be done anywhere.

Why do people want to live in Isaan?

..  cause it's better than Chiang Mai and not loaded down with "World Class B/S "

On 7/17/2025 at 12:39 PM, Hummin said:

 

If so you married the wrong girl. 

 

Some say you can't take the bar out of the girl, which maybe be true, but you can't separate or escape a Thai family if you marry. They will always be a concern and be part of the relationship no matter what. 

I have no concerns regarding the wife's family, they are great people and I could not ask for better.  Never asked for a single baht from me.  I am due in hospital for some surgery soon and had to supply some blood , 3 units, When they heard this her two brothers an the brother in law volunteered immediately without being asked 

I doubt any farangs I know would do the same for me , well they didn't offer anyway

I am perfectly happy where I am and feel totally at home, more than I ever felt back in thr UK   I never feel the need to go to the likes of bangkok or pattaya or any other tourist ghetto

12 hours ago, john11k said:

I though reading this thread was going to be good ( as I live in issan Sakhon Nakhon)

but the same three or four babies talking buffalo sh** at each other spoils it.  

i have never been to Sakhon , I heard there is nice scenery there , is that correct?   I may visit one day soon

Just now, Bday Prang said:

i have never been to Sakhon , I heard there is nice scenery there , is that correct?   I may visit one day soon

Bueng Kan has better attractions. 3 whale rock.

On 7/17/2025 at 12:06 PM, EVENKEEL said:

Foreigners live in Isaan because they don't know any better.

Thousands actually stay because Isaan is where their wives live, or because they have children here and are waiting for the right time to leave. Some like the quiet country. Yes, it's boring as there's not much to do besides garden, but after a lifetime of working in the cities, which have their own share of problems, some like to retire in a peaceful setting.

 

When we move back to Texas, we'll be living in the same type of area, the difference being I'll be close to hunting and fishing there, with lakes, scenery, good schools and all the food from every corner of the world very close. Outside a metro area but far enough away to avoid the traffic and congestion, pollution and noise.

 

I fully understand why many expats live in Thailand's country areas. Some people like the city, nightlife, bars, hookers, and food availability and some like the country. If I didn't want to go back to Texas for my hobbies, I would live at one of Thailand's beach areas, away from the crowds. 

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Thousands actually stay because Isaan is where their wives live, or because they have children here and are waiting for the right time to leave. Some like the quiet country. Yes, it's boring as there's not much to do besides garden, but after a lifetime of working in the cities, which have their own share of problems, some like to retire in a peaceful setting.

 

When we move back to Texas, we'll be living in the same type of area, the difference being I'll be close to hunting and fishing there, with lakes, scenery, good schools and all the food from every corner of the world very close. Outside a metro area but far enough away to avoid the traffic and congestion, pollution and noise.

 

I fully understand why many expats live in Thailand's country areas. Some people like the city, nightlife, bars, hookers, and food availability and some like the country. If I didn't want to go back to Texas for my hobbies, I would live at one of Thailand's beach areas, away from the crowds. 

 

 

Any reason why you felt the need to mention hookers?

 

 

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Any reason why you felt the need to mention hookers?

 

 

It's a main reason many foreigners come here. Yes, there are those who just like the cities and not those kind of women. It's just one of the many reasons people like cities all over. 

11 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

It's a main reason many foreigners come here. Yes, there are those who just like the cities and not those kind of women. It's just one of the many reasons people like cities all over. 

in cities you have more privacy.