Watch rice grow

 

Watch rice dry on roads

 

Watch paint crack in hot sun

 

Watch the clock as you impatiently wait for bus to GTFO

23 hours ago, jimgilly said:

The only good thing about visiting Roi Et is it will make wherever else you go in Thailand more enjoyable. 

 

If you hope to find a decent expat bar/restaurant you're out of luck because there isn't one and if you want an afternoon cocktail, none of the Thai establishments are open that I know of.  Basically, a one horse town with nothing much to do so I suggest you cross it off your list and rethink the visit.

An "afternoon cocktail"      where do you get your ideas from. Its Issan for gods sake,  most come here to avoid expats

23 hours ago, jimgilly said:

The only good thing about visiting Roi Et is it will make wherever else you go in Thailand more enjoyable. 

 

If you hope to find a decent expat bar/restaurant you're out of luck because there isn't one and if you want an afternoon cocktail, none of the Thai establishments are open that I know of.  Basically, a one horse town with nothing much to do so I suggest you cross it off your list and rethink the visit.

An "afternoon cocktail"      where do you get your ideas from. Its Issan for gods sake,  most come here to avoid expats

4 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

An "afternoon cocktail"      where do you get your ideas from. Its Issan for gods sake,  most come here to avoid expats

 

I think most live there as they can not afford to live anywhere else where there are things to do and a bit more going on.

 

I for example live in Phuket but not in the tourist parts which most visitors do not know exists.

 

Three hundred or so detached houses built on a private estate, security controlled etc.

 

There are only about five houses occupied by farangs, the rest of the families are Thai so even in Thailand we can avoid farang expats if we wish, we don't need to stay in the arse end part of the country to do that.

 

But I like the international atmosphere of Phuket, you even get a better class of Thai there as all the Thai losers are still stuck at the arse end of nowhere as they do not have the brains or the drive to escape. 

 

 

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I think most live there as they can not afford to live anywhere else where there are things to do and a bit more going on.

You've not met many expats who live in RoiEt, let alone the Isaan area as a whole, have you?

 

Having called the area "the arse end of nowhere", I doubt you've ever visited. You've also managed to group millions of people in the same category without meeting them. 

 

Quite an achievement.

5 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

of Phuket, you even get a better class of Thai there

You sound like a newbie. The thais in Ph<deleted>et are the absolutely bottom of the barrel. Aggressive scum. Thais with an attitude. I think you have no idea

 

And you live in a housing estate with selfish middle class thais. Complete nightmare your life is. 

9 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I think most live there as they can not afford to live anywhere else where there are things to do and a bit more going on.

 

I for example live in Phuket but not in the tourist parts which most visitors do not know exists.

 

Three hundred or so detached houses built on a private estate, security controlled etc.

 

There are only about five houses occupied by farangs, the rest of the families are Thai so even in Thailand we can avoid farang expats if we wish, we don't need to stay in the arse end part of the country to do that.

 

But I like the international atmosphere of Phuket, you even get a better class of Thai there as all the Thai losers are still stuck at the arse end of nowhere as they do not have the brains or the drive to escape. 

 

 

The cost of living in Phuket etc is likely part of the reason why some expats don't live there, but when it comes down to it I think most of the expats here (Isaan) came to Isaan as that's where their gf / wife was from.  In most cases I think the gf / wife wanted to stay near family, and the expat was just happy enough here so stayed.

Most of the expats who live in Isaan are here because they wanted to settle down, not because they wanted to go out drinking and partying.  RoiEt is a very nice place to settle down in, and the Thai people here are always super welcoming and friendly.

Comparatively, at least for me anyway, I always feel a bit out of sorts when visiting Phuket though as they're so used to foreigners, and in many ways it doesn't feel like Thailand at all. Even so, I love the ocean views and so tried taking some decent length family holidays in Phuket to see if we should move there, but ultimately it just wasn't the right fit for us and we decided to stick to RoiEt (With semi-regular visits to Phuket instead).

Mawlam singer Jintara Poonlarp is from Roi Et, and she’s a national treasure. Of course, I don’t know if there’s anything around town that would indicate that, or if she performs there much. I visited maybe 15 years ago and thought it was a pleasant enough place, though I tend to like most places I go to.

8 hours ago, SlyAnimal said:

The cost of living in Phuket etc is likely part of the reason why some expats don't live there, but when it comes down to it I think most of the expats here (Isaan) came to Isaan as that's where their gf / wife was from.  In most cases I think the gf / wife wanted to stay near family, and the expat was just happy enough here so stayed.

Most of the expats who live in Isaan are here because they wanted to settle down, not because they wanted to go out drinking and partying.  RoiEt is a very nice place to settle down in, and the Thai people here are always super welcoming and friendly.

Comparatively, at least for me anyway, I always feel a bit out of sorts when visiting Phuket though as they're so used to foreigners, and in many ways it doesn't feel like Thailand at all. Even so, I love the ocean views and so tried taking some decent length family holidays in Phuket to see if we should move there, but ultimately it just wasn't the right fit for us and we decided to stick to RoiEt (With semi-regular visits to Phuket instead).

TH has 3200+ kms of coastline, plenty in a rural setting, such as where we live.  No need to live in, or even visit, expensive, congested tourist areas.

On 7/31/2025 at 2:39 PM, save the frogs said:

 

there's gotta be at least one night club there, i imagine?

 

and nightclubs are the same everywhere in the world, aren't they? alcohol, DJs, dance floor, neon lights, girls in mini skirts. what else do you want to know?

 

There are plenty but they are Thai places, I enjoy them as I do in other Isaan towns and cities.

On 7/31/2025 at 1:43 PM, youreavinalaff said:

On 7/31/2025 at 1:42 PM, Stuck in Thailand said:

 

Yea he somehow missed all the throbbing nightlife and entertainment  lol.

That's not what he was looking for. Read his comment.

Erm.... 

 

On 7/29/2025 at 1:03 PM, advancebooking said:

Whats the 'night life' like?

His second question was "What's the night life like" 

 

Anyone living in Roi Et? What can one do there?

Not a joke.........in all seriousness............. what you can do is move somewhere to avoid a slow, but to be fair, painless, death

 

The best to do in Roi Et is to book a flight to BKK

28 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Erm.... 

 

His second question was "What's the night life like" 

 

Keep up with the quotes. Then you won't look foolish.

3 hours ago, Cory1848 said:

Mawlam singer Jintara Poonlarp is from Roi Et, and she’s a national treasure. Of course, I don’t know if there’s anything around town that would indicate that, or if she performs there much. I visited maybe 15 years ago and thought it was a pleasant enough place, though I tend to like most places I go to.

 

She is from the Kasetvesai district, nothing in 101 about her when I was last there. Went to her house, her mum died but father still lives in the village, she built another small house there as well, she lives in Bangkok. Seen her in concerts, film locations and Tv studios 148 times since 2001.

Sao seang phin

 

 

I was there once for two days the best part of it was when I was heading out of town I would never go back there TIT

Watch the Tumble Weed roll by. 😅😂😅

2 hours ago, proton said:

 

She is from the Kasetvesai district, nothing in 101 about her when I was last there. Went to her house, her mum died but father still lives in the village, she built another small house there as well, she lives in Bangkok. Seen her in concerts, film locations and Tv studios 148 times since 2001.

Sao seang phin

 

 

You have seen her 148 times since 2001? Using my calculator, that roughly once every two months. Amazing! -- And she is really talented, I love her music.

2 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

You have seen her 148 times since 2001? Using my calculator, that roughly once every two months. Amazing! -- And she is really talented, I love her music.

 

Saw her in London, Holland and Denmark, not again since last year though. Her real name is Tongbai.

16 hours ago, SlyAnimal said:

The cost of living in Phuket etc is likely part of the reason why some expats don't live there, but when it comes down to it I think most of the expats here (Isaan) came to Isaan as that's where their gf / wife was from.  In most cases I think the gf / wife wanted to stay near family, and the expat was just happy enough here so stayed.

Most of the expats who live in Isaan are here because they wanted to settle down, not because they wanted to go out drinking and partying.  RoiEt is a very nice place to settle down in, and the Thai people here are always super welcoming and friendly.

Comparatively, at least for me anyway, I always feel a bit out of sorts when visiting Phuket though as they're so used to foreigners, and in many ways it doesn't feel like Thailand at all. Even so, I love the ocean views and so tried taking some decent length family holidays in Phuket to see if we should move there, but ultimately it just wasn't the right fit for us and we decided to stick to RoiEt (With semi-regular visits to Phuket instead).

Good post.Seems to be a general thought that if you aren't going to bars and nightclubs you have no life.

You can indulge in the 1000 yard stare to your hearts content

Downtown has a tower shaped like a vod folk musical instrument with a viewing deck, looks great. Also a very tall standing Buddha. Thais call Roi Et L.A. 

Also an aquarium 

19 hours ago, SlyAnimal said:

The cost of living in Phuket etc is likely part of the reason why some expats don't live there, but when it comes down to it I think most of the expats here (Isaan) came to Isaan as that's where their gf / wife was from.  In most cases I think the gf / wife wanted to stay near family, and the expat was just happy enough here so stayed.

Most of the expats who live in Isaan are here because they wanted to settle down, not because they wanted to go out drinking and partying.  RoiEt is a very nice place to settle down in, and the Thai people here are always super welcoming and friendly.

Comparatively, at least for me anyway, I always feel a bit out of sorts when visiting Phuket though as they're so used to foreigners, and in many ways it doesn't feel like Thailand at all. Even so, I love the ocean views and so tried taking some decent length family holidays in Phuket to see if we should move there, but ultimately it just wasn't the right fit for us and we decided to stick to RoiEt (With semi-regular visits to Phuket instead).

 

We live in places which suit each of us, no answer is the best, I do make jokes of it sometimes but it is all for fun.

 

I like Phuket as each area is a different contrast  to another.

 

Example Kathu where I live, as I state before I live on a closed housing estate with 350 or so houses and 99% of the houses are occupied by Thai families so that does not at all feel like a tourists areas.

 

So they are settled down and there are plenty of jobs available to them and many have their own business. They do not need to go north to settle down.

 

The only cars passing the houses are driven by the people who live here, no access to the general public so it is very quiet.

 

There are banks/chemists/ 7/11 /and many other shops in walking distance outside the boundary of the housing area, Massive Makro/Central Shopping/ Super sized  shopping areas are within ten minutes drive.

 

The beach fifteen minutes.

 

Sometimes but rarely I go with my partner to her area near Nakhon si Thammarrat, it is a small village, she goes there to check on her house rentals. I am ready to leave after two days as it is boring as hell and feel great when I get back to Phuket.

 

So Phuket is what people make of it, it is ⅓ the size of Greater London and so is a massive area, many people come for a few days, visit the darker side of the island and then go back with a false idea of what Phuket has to offer.

 

In my area there are lots of bars and restaurants where both Thai and farangs go and none of them are girly bars like some of the areas in Patong.

 

Ten minutes drive from me is a reservoir with a cycle/walking/jogging path around its six miles route, we go walking there every day, of the walkers/cyclists etc 98% of them are Thai.

 

 

3 hours ago, Anthony mellows said:

Good post.Seems to be a general thought that if you aren't going to bars and nightclubs you have no life.

 

Try going to the 95% of the area in Phuket where there are no bars and nightclubs.

 

People's view on Phuket is a view of themselves in a way.

 

Some people come, only hang around the small areas with girly bars and then go back and tell everyone about what they have seen and that is their view of Phuket, no I laugh, it sums up those people.

 

A family from the UK came for a week's visit earlier this year, we went to the beach, Aquarium, temples, fed the elephants in the refuge etc, they though it was wonderful as they saw what most people come to Phuket to see.

 

 

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

TH has 3200+ kms of coastline, plenty in a rural setting, such as where we live.  No need to live in, or even visit, expensive, congested tourist areas.

 

 

I suppose that is what I would say if I could not afford to live in Phuket, plus a lot of guys are living in Issan etc as they have no choice, they foolishly bought a house a car and a buffalo in their wife's area and have no control over it at all as nothing is in their own name.

 

 

 

 

On 8/1/2025 at 10:00 AM, youreavinalaff said:

You've not met many expats who live in RoiEt, let alone the Isaan area as a whole, have you?

 

Having called the area "the arse end of nowhere", I doubt you've ever visited. You've also managed to group millions of people in the same category without meeting them. 

 

Quite an achievement.

 

Thanks.

 

41 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I suppose that is what I would say if I could not afford to live in Phuket, plus a lot of guys are living in Issan etc as they have no choice, they foolishly bought a house a car and a buffalo in their wife's area and have no control over it at all as nothing is in their own name.

I can afford to live in Phuket, with no problem, I just choose not to.  I'm here now, and it took me 15 mins to go 2 kms, to a restaurant.  And I'm not even in a tourist area.  Did only take 5 mins to return, and same route 🙄

 

Took 1.5 hr to get through check point after Sarasin bridge, and go simply 30 kms to Thalang area.  No thanks.  Not into congestion, or needing to live, stay in a small area, that '15 minute prison'.

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Thanks.

 

I didn't say it's a good achievement.

3 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

I didn't say it's a good achievement.

 

Thanks.