1 minute ago, ezzra said:

I can think of the 3 stars Michelin cuisine for starters, BBQed turtles, lizards, and every insects that flying or crawling, 

and let's not forget the bbqed plumped and juicy rats yummy yummy.

 

The rats. skinned and ready to go on the BBQ.

Always makes me giggle round the markets. also the multi colored baby chickens.

5 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Sounds like you did well on the original developments. Good luck with your next (and hopefully last) project. 

I have good luck my Thai gal is a hell of a fisher woman. I taught her sales & construction & she picks up the ball well. but I think this house will sell but no where as easy as on the Pattaya seaboard. I am lucky she was able to learn my years of construction  from being a general contractor in the states.

1 minute ago, ezzra said:

 

and let's not forget the bbqed plumped and juicy rats yummy yummy.

Taste like chicken

 

 

My michelin chef makes this

 

 

4 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Rule #67599 farang handbook states:

 

Live as far away from Thai family as possible

 

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. 

21 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Korat is very sleepy. Udon is the best city, Nong Khai no 2. Still CM is much better.

 

Udon has decent farang food.

IMHO people should start off with , " IMHO"  then proceed with their written diarrhea

1 minute ago, Brave-Fart said:

IMHO people should start off with , " IMHO"  then proceed with their written diarrhea

Every post is their opinion 

I am not living in Isaan and have no plans to, but...

 

2 weeks back I flew to Ubon, and continued to Yasothon by road. Although it's green around my place in Bangkok (thank you Government for turning every unsold plot of land into a banana plantation!), I was glued to the window on the road. That screaming green colour of the rice fields with a bit darker trees here and there on the middle of them was just beautiful under the vivid blue sky and a couple of scattered puffy clouds around.

 

The event I went for had lots of very loud and easily entertained local people involved. Yasothon is all about temples, it seems.

 

But people were incredibly kind and friendly.

 

So yes, while there wasn't really anything to do in that place, that views out the window and how nice the locals were is definitely making me want to go back many more times, at least at this time of the year. But would I really want to live there? Not so sure.

Just now, tomazbodner said:

That screaming green colour of the rice fields with a bit darker trees here and there on the middle of them was just beautiful under the vivid blue sky and a couple of scattered puffy clouds around.

 

Couldn't argue with that.......my problem is, when I get to the end of my driveway and consider turning left or right.....it doesn't matter......as that is view either way for the next four hours......

<>

46 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

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Did you want to say something? 

 

 

I assume that you cant understand why anyone would want to live in Issan rather than say Bangkok or Pattaya. I would assume the reason the would prefer Issan would be if they had family there or if they had no interest in occupying a bar stool every day.

11 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

I assume that you cant understand why anyone would want to live in Issan rather than say Bangkok or Pattaya. I would assume the reason the would prefer Issan would be if they had family there or if they had no interest in occupying a bar stool every day.

For Uk guys that’s not so unusual and an accepted second home, but for me, I get restless in cities and need space and something to do. Then Isaan is a great place to recover between expeditions, but after awhile, and you have been around Thailand x times, and visited your favorite places x times, it starts to be a bit challenging to refine the wheel, especially if you have options. 

 

There is 3 things about Isaan that makes it challenging to live 365 days, and that is the heat, pollution (pollution everywhere in Thailand, but) and there is no good hospitals for emergency if you live in a rural area. But Im fine with dying, just not surviving a devastating stroke or so that leaves you like an vegetable. That’s the biggest fear. 

 

All other places can be visited when you had enough of Isaan, even saving money to go abroad. But again, you need to know how to deal with boredom, and for me there is no difference if Im in Hua Hin, Pattaya or KOH Phangan, after awhile I get the same feeling as I have in Isaan. The only place I am never bored, is in Norway, but again, if that was my only option rest of my life, I would rather stay in Thailand. So, 

9 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

I assume that you cant understand why anyone would want to live in Issan rather than say Bangkok or Pattaya. I would assume the reason the would prefer Issan would be if they had family there or if they had no interest in occupying a bar stool every day.

 

 

I know a number of people in Isaan who occupy a bar stool every day.

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

Your post gives the 2 biggest reasons:

1 - gf wants to live there

2 - you can own a lot of land cheaply and build a big house, which you can't do in most other places

 

 

and once you finish the big house and get ready to enjoy its bigness, you realize it offers less than a small home and furthermore nobody cares about the size of it.  You struggle on a few years telling everybody about how big it is but eventually give-up.  WTF was I thinking!!!!

 

Then you divorce the lady that caused your grief and accept little responsibility.  Stumble into a much better relationship with a beautiful woman with her own money which is nice because most of your money went into setting up your beautiful life in your big home that  your ex now lives in.  Man, hope I don't screw this up...

 

As for Isaan, it depends.  Rewind a few years, had a place with a beautiful ocean view.  Now have place across from the Mekong river with scenery that is majestic. Wonderful restaurants, hotels and only Thai tourists (see a foreigner on rare occasion ).   Life is good.

 

 

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I know a number of people in Isaan who occupy a bar stool every day.

It is even a English Bar in most places somewhere in Isaan. 

 

This is the most decent one in middle of nowhere almost. But they got some decent food and cheap bungalows. if you passing trough, make sure you stop. 

 

https://m.facebook.com/kasetsombunresort/?

 

 

1 hour ago, 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. 

 

Sure you can.

 

I didn't marry the wrong girl. If so, it's been 15 years, so... Wife is well aware we have nothing in common she's an international, contemporary semi-sophisticated city girl

 

For starts live well away from them. Wife can visit as she needs and you pop about for holidays with a dinner out and a few thousand baht.

 

Why is this at all shocking? Human folklore and nasty jokes about in-laws and not mixing are legend in all cultures.

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Taste like chicken

 

 

My michelin chef makes this

 

 

 

A lot of that food doesn't look all that great tbh. Some of it looks almost like it came off a buffet line

 

Maybe I've been in Thailand too long, but If you could guarantee me gai yahn and somtam exactly as I like it - I'd rather have that.  I don't even live in Issarn.

4 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Sure you can.

 

I didn't marry the wrong girl. If so, it's been 15 years, so... Wife is well aware we have nothing in common she's an international, contemporary semi-sophisticated city girl

 

For starts live well away from them. Wife can visit as she needs and you pop about for holidays with a dinner out and a few thousand baht.

 

Why is this at all shocking? Human folklore and nasty jokes about in-laws and not mixing are legend in all cultures.

 

Well, wife is happy home with family close by, and they do not bother me, and rather help my wife a lot, and makes our life easier. So for some it is a great blessing while other a curse. 

 

Things often being to generalized here on the forum where some ignorants just spew out their own experiences. I do not say Isaan is for everyone and everyone have a great family who is helpful, all I am saying we all have different views based on our own experiences. 

 

 

1 minute ago, KhaoHom said:

 

A lot of that food doesn't look all that great tbh. Some of it looks almost like it came off a buffet line

 

Maybe I've been in Thailand too long, but If you could guarantee me gai yahn and somtam exactly as I like it - I'd rather have that.  I don't even live in Issarn.

 

The food my wife eats looks bloody awful.......very unappealing to the eye.....you could never sell it in the west in a "Thai" restaurant.

It's a good question.

 

Why do you WANT to live in Issarn?

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

The food my wife eats looks bloody awful.......very unappealing to the eye.....you could never sell it in the west in a "Thai" restaurant.

 

Understood. That's hardcore Issarn Lao style. It's so smelly and so spicy. It's just wilting. I can do 5 chillis in somtam, but really spicy Issarn food brings tears even to my wife's eyes.

 

My wife loves Issarn food. Fortunately, she rarely brings it home. We eat Thai food together always. Southern more than Issarn together. She accepts the *compromise* so we share meals.

 

Haha - It would never sell as Thai food to non Asian but Asians might find it appealing.

1 minute ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Understood. That's hardcore Issarn Lao style. It's so smelly and so spicy. It's just wilting. I can do 5 chillis in somtam, but really spicy Issarn food brings tears even to my wife's eyes.

 

My wife loves Issarn food. Fortunately, she rarely brings it home. We eat Thai food together always. Southern more than Issarn together. She accepts the *compromise* so we share meals.

 

Haha - It would never sell as Thai food to non Asian but Asians might find it appealing.

 

Spot on.

 

My wife is in tears if she takes a break from her food when we go to the UK......then comes back and tucks into God knows what...555

25 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

A lot of that food doesn't look all that great tbh. Some of it looks almost like it came off a buffet line

 

Maybe I've been in Thailand too long, but If you could guarantee me gai yahn and somtam exactly as I like it - I'd rather have that.  I don't even live in Issarn.

I have to give you a negative response dislike my wifes food like that. 

 

Not okay 😁

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I have to give you a negative response dislike my wifes food like that. 

 

Not okay 😁

I thought it all looked pretty good for home cooking. 👍 It's more important what it tastes like, not looks like (unless you are in some high end restaurant where, perversely, it seems to be the other way around).

 

I think that poster is FOS anyway, I wouldn't take too much notice. 

9 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I thought it all looked pretty good for home cooking. 👍 It's more important what it tastes like, not looks like (unless you are in some high end restaurant where, perversely, it seems to be the other way around).

 

I think that poster is FOS anyway, I wouldn't take too much notice. 

Another new Account, who can it be 

7 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Rule #67599 farang handbook states:

 

Live as far away from Thai family as possible

Yes, mistake with wife & house #1, in wife's village area, and divorced less than 1 yr.   Although turned out to be a good thing, as motivation to sell, and sold that house at very nice profit after 7 yrs.   Rolled into another with 6 rai lot, instead of one.

 

Mistake #2, building way more house than I needed, (400+m²) on 2 of those rai.   Living for the house, as took 2 days just to cut the grass, and not even talking about hedge 'wall' around 2 rai.

 

Unique design (as thought last house) and out of the main metro area.   Took 3 yrs to sell during covid, and yes, retired expats bought both of them.   As stated, land is cheap, and appreciates fast, so that part was great.

 

House w/2 rai, and 4 separate rai sales has paid for everything we own now.  House & transport.  Equals almost 20 yrs of mortgage / rent free living, and still have initial investment in equity, and then some.

 

3rd & present house, much more practical, on 1/4 rai.   Lessons learned  

Google is your friend if your looking up on places and posting on them. Saves you juming in your 4x4 and looking them up.

3 hours ago, transam said:

What a stupid statement, but expected from a woodwork dweller...

Sorry if it hits close to home. I was a lucky one who was still working and making $$$.

 

I met a few living in deep Isaan. They were stuck and miserable.

When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored.😉

Eric Hoffer

On 7/16/2025 at 6:26 PM, Packer said:

Because the uneducated woman they need to pay to live with them is their boss and tells them what to do. 

What a retarded reply... Why are you even here?