On 7/13/2026 at 2:19 AM, Rockyroad said:

Think about it. Why do people avoid quiet spots? Cause they don't like themselves and hide amongst the crowd. Sheep hide amongst other sheep.

I can agree with you to a certain extent, but I wouldn’t use your words. People are different, have different needs, and we just have to accept that.

In quieter places, you need to be more self-driven and focused. If you struggle with discipline and motivation, you might be better off living somewhere with more going on than out in the villages.

Some also forget that Isaan has cities and larger towns. We’re already seeing more and more farangs buying into new developments and gated communities. Khon Kaen seems to be the new hotspot, and I’ve already seen big changes in Korat over the last year with more projects underway. The same goes for Chaiyaphum and several other places.

25 minutes ago, atpeace said:

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.

Maybe they are scared of snakes. Thailand has marathons and I see runners a lot but they run alongside roads.

59 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Maybe they are scared of snakes. Thailand has marathons and I see runners a lot but they run alongside roads.

TravelGuides & Travelogues

Yep, I got bit once but it just got infected and took antibiotics. I no longer run on Jungle trails because 3 people died around my village from cobra bites last year. Another died a couple weeks ago when a coconut hit him in the head. I stay away from coconut trees now.

I've only seen one runner outside of town in the last 5 years on the paved roads. Same in Buriram. Loads of runners in town but once you get into the villages, there are none.

22 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Yep, I got bit once but it just got infected and took antibiotics. I no longer run on Jungle trails because 3 people died around my village from cobra bites last year. Another died a couple weeks ago when a coconut hit him in the head. I stay away from coconut trees now.

I've only seen one runner outside of town in the last 5 years on the paved roads. Same in Buriram. Loads of runners in town but once you get into the villages, there are none.

I had 2 snakes within 1m in Ban Krut as a rode a bike. Not cobras.

On 7/10/2026 at 2:04 AM, IsmeUno said:

Why the need for that rambling nonsense?

Because its a very intelligent response to the OP. Didnt complain or tell the OP he full of <deleted> just an honest non bias reply.

I guess you disnt like his reply so you try to shoot it down.

On 7/10/2026 at 4:45 AM, Hummin said:

The art is to adjust to any environment wherever you go and still manage to live a productive and happy life

Or, if unhappy, simply remove yourself from that environment.

Ahhhh, yes, but many have invested so heavily in Thailand, both financially, and emotionally, they can not leave.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Or, if unhappy, simply remove yourself from that environment.

Ahhhh, yes, but many have invested so heavily in Thailand, both financially, and emotionally, they can not leave.

What happened to the freedom to choose your own life based on your own needs and dreams?

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

What happened to the freedom to choose your own life based on your own needs and dreams?

For many, taken away by a Thai hooker. 😂

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

For many, taken away by a Thai hooker. 😂

TravelGuides & Travelogues

I have to agree there are plenty of fools in Thailand. But considering your obsession with the subject, and with Isaan in particular, I suspect there’s more to your story than simply being single and happy in Pattaya.

Just now, Hummin said:

I have to agree there are plenty of fools in Thailand. But considering your obsession with the subject, and with Isaan in particular, I suspect there’s more to your story than simply being single and happy in Pattaya.

No obsession.

Never been in a relationship with a Thai girl for more than 12 hours. 😂 Never sent money for a sick buffalo. Never bought a property here. Refuse to move 800k baht into a Thai bank. I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport should I want to / need to.

Have I been scammed here. Yes, and I am honest to admit that as a newbie I had a bill padded by one drink in a gogo years ago, and was overcharged for transport, pre apps. Small stuff.

I defy anyone to say they have never been scammed or overcharged in some way shape or form in Thailand, if they were to be honest.

As an quick off topic question, why does things like "Travelguides & Travelouges" (see above) appear at the end of you quoting me. It's happened on more than one occasion. What's that all about?

Edited July 14Jul 14 by KhunHeineken

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

No obsession.

Never been in a relationship with a Thai girl for more than 12 hours. 😂 Never sent money for a sick buffalo. Never bought a property here. Refuse to move 800k baht into a Thai bank. I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport should I want to / need to.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Have I been scammed here. Yes, and I am honest to admit that as a newbie I had a bill padded by one drink in a gogo years ago, and was overcharged for transport, pre apps. Small stuff.

I defy anyone to say they have never been scammed or overcharged in some way shape or form in Thailand, if they were to be honest.

As an quick off topic question, why does things like "Travelguides & Travelouges" (see above) appear at the end of you quoting me. It's happened on more than one occasion. What's that all about?

I was scammed once, back in the early 2000s, when I bought a VIP air-conditioned bus ticket from Krabi to Bangkok.

I believe those are the new ads on the forum.

21 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport should I want to / need to.

Yeah but how many years do you live with "one foot out the door" before you actually just leave?

Are Pattaya or an Isaan village the only options? No expats in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, other cities or the various islands?

I certainly don’t agree that the expats in Pattaya are “raising the standards of Thailand”.

Apart from the tourists, most expats in Thailand’s premier family friendly destination seem to be mongers, broke or alcoholics - said tongue in cheek and I appreciate there are lots of exceptions once you get out of the centre but they don’t make the news / bother you so aren’t visible.

25 minutes ago, Chalky0w said:

Apart from the tourists, most expats in Thailand’s premier family friendly destination seem to be mongers, broke or alcoholics - said tongue in cheek

Yes and each one of those is a tired, worn out, hackneyed expression just like the sick buffalo one.

42 minutes ago, Chalky0w said:

Are Pattaya or an Isaan village the only options? No expats in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, other cities or the various islands?

Well I am an expat in Bangkok and don't seem to be the only one.

1 hour ago, Chalky0w said:

Are Pattaya or an Isaan village the only options? No expats in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, other cities or the various islands?

Most of the villain stories come from those who arrived in Pattaya, went to Isaan, and then returned to Pattaya broken. For some strange reason, it often seems to be people in Pattaya who are most obsessed with Isaan and those who live there.

I guess many who live in Pattaya have at some point visited Isaan with a woman who worked in Pattaya. They saw the poorer side of where she came from, and I guess that was a shock for some. They never experienced the other, more varied side of Isaan—the seasons, the colours, or the freedom Isaan offers if you know how to live there.

yeah, i take pattaya any day of the week,

even now that i dont party any more.

its home

40 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Most of the villain stories come from those who arrived in Pattaya, went to Isaan, and then returned to Pattaya broken. For some strange reason, it often seems to be people in Pattaya who are most obsessed with Isaan and those who live there.

I guess many who live in Pattaya have at some point visited Isaan with a woman who worked in Pattaya. They saw the poorer side of where she came from, and I guess that was a shock for some. They never experienced the other, more varied side of Isaan—the seasons, the colours, or the freedom Isaan offers if you know how to live there.

Pattaya and Isaan do seem to have a strange symbiotic relationship.

• Girls living in Isaan -> Pattaya -> Isaan

• Guys living in Pattaya -> Isaan -> Pattaya

I’m neutral - live in one of the second tier cities that don’t make headlines very often and like it that way.

I’ve visited Isaan, enjoyed it, didn’t live there and don’t think I would live there but expect to visit again. I don’t think it is boring.

I’ve visited Pattaya, enjoyed it, didn’t live there and don’t think I would live there but expect to visit again. I don’t think it is the centre of culture and international cuisine some say it is.

12 minutes ago, Chalky0w said:

Pattaya and Isaan do seem to have a strange symbiotic relationship.

• Girls living in Isaan -> Pattaya -> Isaan

• Guys living in Pattaya -> Isaan -> Pattaya

I’m neutral - live in one of the second tier cities that don’t make headlines very often and like it that way.

I’ve visited Isaan, enjoyed it, didn’t live there and don’t think I would live there but expect to visit again. I don’t think it is boring.

I’ve visited Pattaya, enjoyed it, didn’t live there and don’t think I would live there but expect to visit again. I don’t think it is the centre of culture and international cuisine some say it is.

I believe there are good reasons to live in Isaan, provided there is nothing there that makes life difficult. The same applies anywhere else. I wouldn’t live there if her family were a problem.

They turned out to be our strongest partners and have made life much easier for us, giving us the freedom to do what we want, when we want.

Family is everything to some people, while others have little or no relationship with family or a partner and thrive best alone. I respect both. There is no competition, and I have no reason to convince anyone to live like me or to live in Isaan.

23 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I believe there are good reasons to live in Isaan, provided there is nothing there that makes life difficult. The same applies anywhere else. I wouldn’t live there if her family were a problem.

They turned out to be our strongest partners and have made life much easier for us, giving us the freedom to do what we want, when we want.

Family is everything to some people, while others have little or no relationship with family or a partner and thrive best alone. I respect both. There is no competition, and I have no reason to convince anyone to live like me or to live in Isaan.

I think somewhere in the suburbs of Nong Khai or Nakhon Phanom would be liveable for me - not too big, few amenities, few things going on, bit of a view of the river, etc.

Partner isn’t from Isaan so no reason to move but certainly don’t hold the region or people that live there in disdain.

1 hour ago, Chalky0w said:

Pattaya and Isaan do seem to have a strange symbiotic relationship.

• Girls living in Isaan -> Pattaya -> Isaan

• Guys living in Pattaya -> Isaan -> Pattaya

Never visited Patts, until lived in TH for a few years, as fairly ignorant with it's reputation.

For me, it was Phuket, before Isan, for first 2 visits to TH. 2nd visit, (Sept/Oct 2000) met a gal visiting her now ex SIL, as just divorced her brother/husband. Hung out for about a week, then popped over to PP for a week for some diving with her. First Phuket trip was a diving trip also.

She had to go bad to Udon, so I had time to kill so went with her. Seemed like a nice small city. Me growing up at Philly metro area, and coming from Memphis areas, as last place I lived in USA, before TH. So Udon was small to me, but had everything.

Came back over for 6 months every couple weeks for couple weeks or a short month. Actually commuting back & forth to work, but here, TH, more than work, as gettng ready to retire. Retired following April and had house built, for mere $10k USD, with a $10k upgrade to make it comfy. USD/THB - $1 / 40 THB

That marriage lasted less than a year, and as stated before, booted her out of the house, and sold it later, for $40+k USD, without her involvment, via POA.

While in Udon, met my 2nd, current Thai wife, rest is history. Built another house, and stayed in Udon for total of 16 yrs, before moving to PKK about 10 yrs ago.

Enjoyed the village life in Udon, made the best of it. Glad I left and would never return to NE, or anywhere else north of where we are now, PKK, 100 kms / 1.5hr south of Hua Hin.

Been to Patts 3 times, and you couldn't give me free housing to live there. NO THANKS

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Enjoyed the village life in Udon, made the best of it. Glad I left and would never return to NE, or anywhere else north of where we are now, PKK, 100 kms / 1.5hr south of Hua Hin.

If you enjoyed the village life there, why were you glad you left and would never return?

Contradictory, no?

3 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

If you enjoyed the village life there, why were you glad you left and would never return?

Contradictory, no?

Cause he likes beaches and village life gets boring.

7 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

If you enjoyed the village life there, why were you glad you left and would never return?

Contradictory, no?

16 years was enough, and when we went O&A, I liked almost every place we went to, better than Isan areas, as flat & boring in comparison. Except for the edges of the plateau, Isan's landscape is really boring.

Just too far from where I'd rather be, near the surf, or have some rolling hills closer. Along with the air pollution gets horrendous at times. Why I'd never live north of Hua Hin, the pollution sucks for about half the year.

Rural life is quiet & peaceful, and metro for mid day outings was nice with the mix of vendors, and mere 20 minutes away. Early morning & all evenings, just too congested after about 10 yrs. Nice 1000 - 1400 hr, after that, avoid being in town.

Congestion got terrible after the govt rebate for vehicles. Seems like everyone that could barely afford one, bought one. I upgraded, sort of, and put one in the wife's name, since had to be 1st time buyer. 100k off the excise tax, made for real priced car or truck, instead of their silly pricing.

Would have left Udon area within 5 yrs of being there, after sold 1st house, if I could take the kid out of school to another province. Not allowed since village 'orphan' instead of my blood daughter. Her grandparents wouldn't allow it.

Means I wouldn't have met my present wife, so staying longer worked out good.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by KhunLA

On 7/13/2026 at 6:24 AM, temuFarang said:

Could you please share your data for peer review?

Review:

Load of shoyte. Though possibly an attempt at cynical humour.

6 hours ago, save the frogs said:

If you enjoyed the village life there, why were you glad you left and would never return?

Village life there was just OK, but much better elsewhere, along with a couple extra pluses ...

... at least 12+ hr drive closer, to start where we want to go O&A (NaDi, Udon, to PKK)

... at least 4 hrs closer to our daughter in Krung Thep (8 vs 4 hr drive)

An almost daily view, that can't be beat, along with some nice lakes & rolling hills about 10 kms westward ...

Edited July 15Jul 15 by KhunLA

18 hours ago, Hummin said:

I was scammed once, back in the early 2000s, when I bought a VIP air-conditioned bus ticket from Krabi to Bangkok.

I believe those are the new ads on the forum.

What was the scam? The bus didn't actually have air conditioning? 🙂

17 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Yeah but how many years do you live with "one foot out the door" before you actually just leave?

I've always said that a retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 12 month tourist visa. It's been debated before, and the only thing someone on a retirement visa can do that someone on a 30 day visa exemption can no do is have a 5 year driving / riding license instead of a 2 year license. Someone on a 30 day visa exemption can do everything the same.

Thailand does not offer a reasonable pathway to Permanent Residency and / or citizenship, so you are always just a tourist here.

Also, Thailand is an unstable country. I do not trust the Thai government, nor Thai officials.

The interest earned on the money it would take to buy a condo in my block more than covers my rent, so why would I buy? The same with the 800k baht in a Thailand bank. I use an agent because the 800k baht here is a waste of money, and a risk.

I have a reasonably new motorbike, a great home entertainment system, and some decent appliances.

I'm happy to remain in Thailand, but should I ever need to / want to leave, I can go at a moments notice and my financial loss is minimal.

I have not invested in Thailand financially, or emotionally. At the moment, I don't see a need to "just leave" but it's good to know I can.

53 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

What was the scam? The bus didn't actually have air conditioning? 🙂

It was actually air conditioned and freezing cold, from what I remember, with loud karaoke and soap opera videos, and I was trapped above the toilet. The usual ticket office scam: they sold you a premium VIP bus ticket with a good seat, kept you waiting at their office until the bus was about to leave, then rushed you onto the bus just as the doors closed.

I was also scammed once by a Dutch owned hotel at Kamala Beach. They sold me, through the hotel’s own website, what was supposed to be a decent second-floor room with a sea view. The “sea view” was a tiny glimpse of the sea if you stuck your head out over the one-by-one-metre balcony at ground floor. An overpriced, <deleted>ty place. His excuse, the hotel was sold out, and even then I did not get my money back. I gave him some heat for a few months on different review pages.