53 minutes ago, Rams86 said:

I met my Thai wife in a Beach Road bar in Pattaya. We never mention about her working in the bar. If she's asked where we met she says we met in the World Trade Centre in Bangkok as she did caual work for a friend who had a shop there. As for others the ones who need to know and the rest can mind their own business. Which I may say is very difficult for Thai women.

Good on you, and if it worked for you, to hell with anyone else.

3 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Most foreigners I know haven't built houses in Isaarn for profit.

Might as well open a bar in Pattaya, eh?

The option isn't build on the GF land with no chanote OR open a bar in Pattaya

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I would love to do a poll where guys would answer honestly and sincerely. My primary question would be: Was moving to the boonies your choice or hers? Are you content there or is drinking your primary form of entertainment? Are you leading a fulfilling life in the countryside?

To each his own for sure, but I do know that when I spend time up there in my wife's village I am bored to tears after just 3 days, and I have a very hard time meeting interesting expats who are not drunks, or daily drinkers.

I'm not saying that that scenario is not possible I'm just simply wondering how many do it out of choice and how many simply feel compelled to follow their woman's whims and desire to be near the family?

As for me, honestly it was a combination of things. I was traveling in a camper during Covid and decided to swing by my wife's village and I loved it. Green and lush with rugged topography. Lakes and huge rivers and for someone that loves exploring, it was ideal. You seem to be more social than myself and you would probably enjoy the nice restaurants and hotels near my home but after a week be bored. No other English speakers around.

Today's schedule:

Morning 1 hour run through the hills. Now drinking coffee and typing. At 12:30 go to a tiny immigration office that will be empty and I will buy everybody coffee and get what should take two days and two trips done in an hour. THey might not even charge me :) Strange people work in this office so the visit is always interesting. Really not sure what they do all day. Take my wife to lunch even though she caused the issue why I had to go to immigration and pay the land office 15k baht fines. Just had to get that out - HaHa. She doesn't deal with stress well so I just internalize my frustrations.

I have a funny wife so the day will be fun. We won't have any deep talks but loads of laughs. That wraps up the day and usually have a small edible and a a couple shots of whiskey in the evening while watching Youtube videos and then lay down at 9pm to read a book and fall asleep in 30 minutes.

I like my life but some/many definitely would not.

34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Based on experience of what I've read and heard, you deny that's true? building a house on the gfs land with no chanote would be easy to sell?

Not everything you have heard and read is true. Yes, it happens, but I am sure you would agree, the story is embellished with each telling. If the choice is made correctly the first time around, my house in Isaan can be safer than your condo in Pattaya.

39 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Based on experience of what I've read and heard, you deny that's true? building a house on the gfs land with no chanote would be easy to sell?

You don't get the chanote wherever you build.

You also appear to want to be able to exercise full control over what happens with any house purchase or build, illegal as you know, and furthermore, difficult in reality.

If your idea is to exercise control or authority over anything, you'd best stick to a condo and stop looking at things in black and white of profit and loss.

Many of us are leaving things to Thai partners, wives, children, for their futures, after we have departed etc

6 minutes ago, Surasak said:

Not everything you have heard and read is true. Yes, it happens, but I am sure you would agree, the story is embellished with each telling. If the choice is made correctly the first time around, my house in Isaan can be safer than your condo in Pattaya.

I agree with you.

My life is totally relaxed, and I am at peace in Isaarn, horses for courses, I suppose.

It doesn't help when their mindset is totally focussed on whether they are losing their money in a relationship breakdown, or they might not like it in the sticks.

They are already starting with a negative mindset.

When we hear the horror stories of Pattaya, murders, drugs, gun running, thefts, stabbings, random attacks, expensive on every day items such as food and drink, they don't want to go upcountry. And they tell us Pattaya is heaven.

They might be bored and miss the balloon chasers and opening of a new bar, better they stay where they are.

14 minutes ago, Surasak said:

Not everything you have heard and read is true. Yes, it happens, but I am sure you would agree, the story is embellished with each telling. If the choice is made correctly the first time around, my house in Isaan can be safer than your condo in Pattaya.

ok using your house as an example, bought or built in Thailand? chanote? in whose name?

On 7/13/2026 at 4:07 AM, scubascuba3 said:

In nikonnowhere If the relationship didn't work out in most cases the house is unsellable so it just means you have less options, there's always abandonment i guess

I get the impression you live in a small box in a tower block? Have you ever been to Isaan? It sounds like the answer to that is no!

Hearing about somewhere and actually living there is like chalk and cheese.

13 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

You don't get the chanote wherever you build.

You also appear to want to be able to exercise full control over what happens with any house purchase or build, illegal as you know, and furthermore, difficult in reality.

If your idea is to exercise control or authority over anything, you'd best stick to a condo and stop looking at things in black and white of profit and loss.

Many of us are leaving things to Thai partners, wives, children, for their futures, after we have departed etc

Yeah building a house leaves you exposed, but if you are happy with that fine

Just now, Surasak said:

I get the impression you live in a small box in a tower block? Have you ever been to Isaan? It sounds like the answer to that is no!

Hearing about somewhere and actually living there is like chalk and cheese.

If you are happy in a house you don't own and could lose it anytime fine, up to you

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

ok using your house as an example, bought or built in Thailand? chanote? in whose name?

Both built in Thailand. And If I can't trust my wife, and family after having been together for more than 20 year, I shouldn't be here.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

perhaps because running is a modern invention due to sedentary office desk jobs.

since historically they worked the fields out there, running was not only not necessary but counter-productive to survival. when you need to burn calories all day to survive, it's frivolous to burn calories doing something that doesn't put food on the table.

I've seen joggers in remote Isaan. Thais also jog around the lakes in cities. Muay Thai guys jog 7km a day. All normal.

They look at him cause he is farang.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Yeah,

I suppose the bar stool at 10 in the morning discussing last night's conquests in Pattaya, is much more appealing and closer to the Real Thailand that you seek.

Finally someone understands.

38 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

38 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yeah building a house leaves you exposed, but if you are happy with that fine

It was always the plan to give it to my now, wife.

You will always be exposed, if that's how you look at it. I built all these houses from scratch, (three plus store, four buildings on four Rai)

I have three houses in the UK. Furthermore, I have a usufruct in Thailand, and can speak the language.

My wife/partner deserves these, at least for putting up with me for 30 years.

She will also get money in the bank that's left.

My British sons have a house each in England. It's been a fair split, and I am comfortable with it!

Why is that difficult to understand? I don't feel exposed.

How much would a UK divorce cost someone?

15 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I've seen joggers in remote Isaan. Thais also jog around the lakes in cities. Muay Thai guys jog 7km a day. All normal.

TravelGuides & Travelogues

They look at him cause he is farang.

We have plenty of joggers on our lake at dawn and dusk, nobody looks at me except to say hello.

They range from Policemen to bank workers to those fruit sellers on the market, nobody cares.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

The option isn't build on the GF land with no chanote OR open a bar in Pattaya

Good,

because you will never own either of them....😂

5 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

It was always the plan to give it to my now, wife.

You will always be exposed, if that's how you look at it. I built all these houses from scratch, (three plus store, four buildings on four Rai)

I have three houses in the UK. Furthermore, I have a usufruct in Thailand, and can speak the language.

My wife/partner deserves these, at least for putting up with me for 30 years.

She will also get money in the bank that's left.

My British sons have a house each in England. It's been a fair split, and I am comfortable with it!

Why is that difficult to understand? I don't feel exposed.

How much would a UK divorce cost someone?

i have no interest in your specific circumstances, no one cares, I'm talking generally

17 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

i have no interest in your specific circumstances, no one cares, I'm talking generally

But further up the thread, you WERE asking about specific poster's personal circumstances.

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

i have no interest in your specific circumstances, no one cares, I'm talking generally

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

ok using your house as an example, bought or built in Thailand? chanote? in whose name?

Which is it?

3 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

But further up the thread, you WERE asking about specific poster's personal circumstances.

i wasn't looking for an extended song and dance about it

On 7/10/2026 at 5:51 AM, KhunLA said:

I'll take rural or semi rural over urban or metro living. At Udon Thani, both house we built were 20-30 minutes away from 'downtown', depending on time of day.

Use to pop in to town 1000 - 1400 in between rush hours to enjoy the choice of vendors. Didn't want anything to do with evening events, congestion & drunks.

Best of both worlds, peace & quiet, and access to all that is needed. Didn't know or bother with village folks, neighbors, and 2nd house, couldn't even see them, as half km away.

GeographicReference

Pretty much same now, at PKK, but less than 10 mins to/from surfside & 'downtown', and choice of 'limited' vendors. Closest neighor is 140 meters away, and nobody bothers us. BLISS for us.

Most areas of TH, 'remote', only takes about 10-15 mins drive to get out of the madnesss of congested metro areas. Added benefit, land and housing is so much cheaper, and no neighbor hassles.

I don't want to see, hear neighbors, or loudspeakers, or smell engine exhaust, and easily accomplished with minor thought & planning. Along with being less than 10 mins from a chain store for food. Makes everyday living so easy and comfortable.

My plan too- land now bought in name of gf of course

House build starts in 6 weeks I hope

Nearest neighbour is about 1 km away- complete peace and rural tranquilty

Busy town life is only a 20 minute drive away and Udon Thani airport is 45 minutes away

Suits me but I realise many will not like it

I had my fun in the centre of Bkk and now rural tranquility does it for me

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

perhaps because running is a modern invention due to sedentary office desk jobs.

since historically they worked the fields out there, running was not only not necessary but counter-productive to survival. when you need to burn calories all day to survive, it's frivolous to burn calories doing something that doesn't put food on the table.

You really do have a closed mind about Thais. Apparently, they are all subsistent farmers or hookers. No truck drivers, warehouse workers, builders, travel industry (hotel), restauranteers, or any kind of middle persons from farm to international export.

No public trans worker, ATC, pilots, flight attendents, govt workers, office or park, city or road maintenance, PWA or MEA/PEA employees. TOT/CAT employes, office or out on the lines. Not to mentiona mega mall or chain store working folks.

Just farmers & hookers

Never been to Thailand, have you. Or did some Thai guy or gal hurt you, and you just can't move on ...

Edited July 14Jul 14 by KhunLA

I'm getting bitch-slapped in my own thread.

Shameful.

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apparently, they are all subsistent farmers or hookers.

Well, Isaan is predominantly farmland isn't it?

My point is that "running" is a western invention because the West automated farming and moved most people into sedentary office jobs.

And my other point is there are a fairly large percentage of foreigners married to bargirls from Pattaya. Although we don't have the stats. Thats the reason people assume. Because the numbers are fairly high and it's fairly common. It's just a fact.

12 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Well, Isaan is predominantly farmland isn't it?

My point is that "running" is a western invention because the West automated farming and moved most people into sedentary office jobs.

And my other point is there are a fairly large percentage of foreigners married to bargirls from Pattaya. Although we don't have the stats. Thats the reason people assume. Because the numbers are fairly high and it's fairly common. It's just a fact.

Actually the 3 main metros (see below) are distributions centers of all things, in & out of Isan, and not just farming products.

And taking Udon Thani province for instance, with 1.5M residents, I remember Imm releasing figures of <5k Expats with long term -0- visa, (marriage or retirment), so many, of the few % there, not even married.

Or we talking all of Isan, 20+M people, half women ... damn, that's a lot of hookers. Of couse no stats, just your imagination.

Many of the expats, and history revolves around the military bases in Isan during Nam conflict, so not everyone arrived in Patts first. Just think if someone came to visit friends that lived in Isan, and met a gal. Oh wait, from Isan, got to be hooker.

If you ever lived in Isan, you'd know many gals living there, with limited finances or options, are interested in meeting expats, and have never left Isan or were hookers. I met more than a few when prowling for smiles when single, while living in Udon.

Same worldwide, many people enjoy marrying up, in their social stance. I know many a gal who use to visit bars, clubs the they couldn't afford to drink in, in hopes of meeting someone from a better neighborhood, financial social circles. In the USA that is.

Not taking away the reality of prostitution when face with economic disparity, but all the hookers in TH, aren't from Isan, as surely many at Patts, BKK or Phuket, Samui are also locals.

If all the women left to be hookers, who are all the gals in the unis, which are attended almost exclusively by gals in Isan, as the men are tending the fields, as it seems not many going for that higher education. Or are you going to tell us, they are all soldiers or Popo. Maybe just all the corrupt politicians.

Lots of commerce, not just farming & females ...

Edited July 14Jul 14 by KhunLA

On 7/10/2026 at 11:20 AM, save the frogs said:

Pattaya is way better than any remote part of Thailand.

With respect , it is a matter of personal Choice!

I lived for many happy years in a village in Northern Lampang Province and the nearby city of Phayao was the centre for nightlife, bars, restaurants and supermarket shopping.

53 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I'm getting bitch-slapped in my own thread.

Shameful.

Accept that people come from different places and want different things. Happiness is something you make; it does not come by itself.

I speak from experience when I say the countryside is better for me than any city.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

I'm getting bitch-slapped in my own thread.

Shameful.

Respond with wais

On 7/13/2026 at 6:10 AM, temuFarang said:

The jokes write themselves at some point. 

On 7/13/2026 at 6:10 AM, temuFarang said:

The jokes write themselves at some point. 

Especially when people reply to themselves.

4 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

I've seen joggers in remote Isaan. Thais also jog around the lakes in cities. Muay Thai guys jog 7km a day. All normal.

They look at him cause he is farang.

Not in my town and many others I've lived. In 6 years I have not seen one runner on the trails I run on. That is why they stair. In the evening there are runners in town that run a few k but nobody that runs regularly over 5k. It is extremely rare outside of towns to see runners is my experience and never off the paved roads.