A foreign customer speaking fluent Isan surprised staff at a Korean grilled meat shop in Kalasin after ordering two jumbo sets and asking to pay through the Thai discount scheme using his wife's mobile phone.

The moment, recorded on the shop's CCTV at 5.28pm on 14 July, was posted by the owner on Facebook and drew comments from viewers wondering how a foreigner could use the Khon La Khrueng or Thai Chuai Thai Plus benefit.

Shop owner Apinya Phunnoina later explained that the entitlement belonged to the man's wife. He used her phone to scan and pay for the order, according to the report.

Fluent Isan leaves staff laughing

The customer entered the long-established grilled meat shop on Thanon Thinnanon, on the Kalasin-Yang Talat route in Muang district, to buy food to take home.

He placed his order in Isan, the Lao-influenced dialect commonly heard across north-eastern Thailand. Apinya said she could not contain her laughter after hearing his accent.

In her Facebook caption, the owner said she was already amazed that the foreign customer could speak Isan, before he asked whether the shop accepted the half-price scheme. She described him as both handsome and able to speak Isan.

Apinya said the man asked about the available meal sets. She told him a large set cost 250 baht and a jumbo set 320 baht. He chose two jumbo sets.

He then asked whether the shop accepted Khon La Khrueng. Staff asked whose benefit he intended to use, and he replied that it belonged to his wife before producing the phone to scan the payment.

For foreign residents and visitors, eligibility for government cost-of-living schemes remains separate from simply being able to make a payment at a participating shop. Anyone hoping to use such a programme should check the official conditions and ensure the registered beneficiary is making the transaction in line with the scheme's rules.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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Next level integration: speaks Isan better than half the Bangkok politicians. 😆👏

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue, as in Thailand it is not common surely not in Isarn. However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID. So somebody who can speak Isarn is just a smart guy who took time to learn.

SWMBO (Isaan through and through) was trying to explain a bar game to some Thai speaking girls when she turned to me and said can you explain it to them in English....it'll be easier than me trying to talk Thai???????

4 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID.

What point are you seeking to make here and is it pertinent to the light-hearted nature of the OP?

Issan people have often said to me learning Issan is easy if you can speak Thai, but I beg to differ.

There are many different words, which one can pick up with time and a patient Thai ( Issan teacher).

If you live in Issan, folks love it if you speak Issan to them.

' an nee Jak baht' ( how much is this)

'Jao sir nyang' ( what is your name)

'Nyang' how to write it in English! And pronounce correctly in Issan.

Listening to villagers, especially older ones speak Issan together is fun. The tones frequently soar skywards,exaggerating a word in the story, like actors narrating events.

If he spoke in British English would the benefit be denied?

Well why not, there is usually little complaint when a farang partner pays the higher tourist price for something.......!

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue, as in Thailand it is not common surely not in Isarn. However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID. So somebody who can speak Isarn is just a smart guy who took time to learn.

It takes more than just being smart and time to learn. In Europe we speak 2-3 languages by default too in many countries but Thai is another level. Those I saw it learn are often teachers in Isaan on like 30K baht wages, they are effectively forced to learn.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by sunrisecoconuts

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16 hours ago, NanLaew said:

What point are you seeking to make here and is it pertinent to the light-hearted nature of the OP?

It is a pity you don't understand. The article states that he can speak Isan and his wife allowed him to use her phone, but he is a foreigner or maybe even a foreigner with the Thai Nationality, but still a foreigner. It shows that how much you do your best you will be integrated as a local.. you don't look like a Thai. If a Thai has a foreign nationality and would do the same it was no issue

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue, as in Thailand it is not common surely not in Isarn. However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID. So somebody who can speak Isarn is just a smart guy who took time to learn.

I can understand other people's confusion with your post.

Especially difficult to grasp is this; it seems to contradict itself-

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID.

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

In her Facebook caption, the owner said she was already amazed that the foreign customer could speak Isan, before he asked whether the shop accepted the half-price scheme. She described him as both handsome and able to speak Isan.

It’s not uncommon for regional foreign nationals to speak fluent Thai dialects.

12 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

It is a pity you don't understand. The article states that he can speak Isan and his wife allowed him to use her phone, but he is a foreigner or maybe even a foreigner with the Thai Nationality, but still a foreigner. It shows that how much you do your best you will be integrated as a local.. you don't look like a Thai. If a Thai has a foreign nationality and would do the same it was no issue

I think we all understand that he is a foreigner , and that he ordered a meal speaking Thai with a north eastern dialect, afterall its confirmed in the first six words of the article.

Its difficult to workout exactly what point you are trying to make , but simply learning a foreign language does not change ones nationality, and Being granted a foreign passport is no guarantee that one is able to speak the language of the country issuing it

His speaking "isan" will of course help him integrate with the community

I personally don't find it that remarkable , It is exactly how I would expect to him to speak if he learnt his Thai from his isan speaking wife I know a couple of English guys who have lived in the UK with their Thai wives for 20+ years one of the women talks with a pronounced liverpool accent and the other with a london accent Its only to be expected

Not sure how this would even be a concern of anyone. Is it any different if his wife placed and paid the order, and returned home for them to eat.

If she qualifies, possibly not if reporting husband's income, if legal husband, would be the only issue. Does mortgage/rent, vehicle payments, utilities & healthcare cost lower their spendable money enough to warrant assistance.

I'm sure my wife could apply and get subsidies, since no monthly income, although, guessing she'd have to ommit the fact that she's married, and I qualify for retirement visa with at least 800k income a year. Would think that little tidbit, if revealed would disqualify her, as we have no liabilities to lower our monthly buyer power, that would require any need for assistance.

19 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue

Thais need to travel more of the world outside of Southeast Asia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multilingual_countries_and_regions

8 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Thais need to travel more of the world outside of Southeast Asia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multilingual_countries_and_regions

I know not only for the language but also for knowing more about different cultures and habits. Everything in Thailand is focused on the inside of the country, no room for other visions

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

I know not only for the language but also for knowing more about different cultures and habits. Everything in Thailand is focused on the inside of the country, no room for other visions

Why are you persisting with this?

The Thai people are mostly fervent nationalists, but this has absolutely no relevance to the OP. No Thai people have been reported as being upset. They are only surprised and amused that a foreigner has spoken in a local dialect and bought food under a government scheme that his Thai wife is untitled to use.

21 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue, as in Thailand it is not common surely not in Isarn. However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID. So somebody who can speak Isarn is just a smart guy who took time to learn.

The most commonly spoken non-Thai languages in Thailand are:

Lao (Isan/Lao dialects) – By far the most widely spoken. Around 15–20 million people in northeastern Thailand speak Isan, which is closely related to Lao. Many linguists consider it a Lao language variety.

Chinese languages – Especially Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Although many Thai Chinese now primarily speak Thai, Mandarin use has grown due to education and business.

Malay (Pattani Malay) – Spoken by about 1.5–2 million people in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla.

Khmer – Spoken by several hundred thousand people, mainly in provinces bordering Cambodia such as Surin, Sisaket, and Buriram.

Burmese (Myanmar languages) – Spoken by many migrant workers from Myanmar, including Burmese, Karen, Shan, and Mon.

English – Widely taught as a second language and commonly used in tourism, business, and international education, though relatively few people speak it fluently.

Vietnamese – Spoken by a smaller ethnic Vietnamese community, particularly in northeastern Thailand.

Karen languages – Spoken by Karen communities along the Thailand–Myanmar border.

19 minutes ago, SmokeandIce said:

The most commonly spoken non-Thai languages in Thailand are:

Lao (Isan/Lao dialects) – By far the most widely spoken. Around 15–20 million people in northeastern Thailand speak Isan, which is closely related to Lao. Many linguists consider it a Lao language variety.

Chinese languages – Especially Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Although many Thai Chinese now primarily speak Thai, Mandarin use has grown due to education and business.

Malay (Pattani Malay) – Spoken by about 1.5–2 million people in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla.

Khmer – Spoken by several hundred thousand people, mainly in provinces bordering Cambodia such as Surin, Sisaket, and Buriram.

Burmese (Myanmar languages) – Spoken by many migrant workers from Myanmar, including Burmese, Karen, Shan, and Mon.

English – Widely taught as a second language and commonly used in tourism, business, and international education, though relatively few people speak it fluently.

Vietnamese – Spoken by a smaller ethnic Vietnamese community, particularly in northeastern Thailand.

Thaicooking classes

Karen languages – Spoken by Karen communities along the Thailand–Myanmar border.

I know and that is why people from North amd South an East cant communicate with eachother except in Thai. All Thais are dual languaged

22 hours ago, Nemises said:

Next level integration: speaks Isan better than half the Bangkok politicians. 😆👏

City& Local Guides

Well, most are thai-chinese so...

23 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai people are often amazed that foreigners can speak other languages than their mother tongue, as in Thailand it is not common surely not in Isarn. However a friend of mine got the Thai nationality, but he never became a Thai but always a foreigner, although he had a Thai passport and ID. So somebody who can speak Isarn is just a smart guy who took time to learn.

A friend of mine speaks perfect Thai and can even joke, our Thai friends love it. He watches Thai tv and reads, He’s French.

46 minutes ago, geisha said:

A friend of mine speaks perfect Thai and can even joke, our Thai friends love it. He watches Thai tv and reads, He’s French.

Sounds Far kern horrid, even the joker bit doesn't make amends! 😣

1 hour ago, geisha said:

A friend of mine speaks perfect Thai and can even joke, our Thai friends love it. He watches Thai tv and reads, He’s French.

My partner is Thai can speak and read fluent Dutch and can speak a little English too... But how many Thais in Thailand can speak Chinese, English or even their own dialects from all parts of Thailand??? That is my point in fact. So Thai people are surprised that a foreigner can do it, but a foreigner is willing to study and learn

On 7/17/2026 at 9:01 AM, Georgealbert said:

Shop owner Apinya Phunnoina later explained that the entitlement belonged to the man's wife. He used her phone to scan and pay for the order, according to the report.

It's his money on the wife's phone anyway. 😂

On 7/17/2026 at 4:01 PM, Georgealbert said:

She described him as both handsome and able to speak Isan.

Yes, it is true that the store staff described the foreigner as handsome, but...

Do you think that carries much weight?

I thought that all foreigners are referred to as being extremely handsome.

Yet, we know that not ALL foreigners can be, in actuality, handsome.

My guess is that he was NOT handsome, in fact.

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Yes, it is true that the store staff described the foreigner as handsome, but...

Do you think that carries much weight?

I thought that all foreigners are referred to as being extremely handsome.

Yet, we know that not ALL foreigners can be, in actuality, handsome.

My guess is that he was NOT handsome, in fact.

No,

You are Hansum man, as all the Isaarn girls in soi 6 will testify.

Velly Han sum,

12 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Thais need to travel more of the world outside of Southeast Asia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multilingual_countries_and_regions

Most can't afford it.

On 7/17/2026 at 6:21 PM, bannork said:

Issan people have often said to me learning Issan is easy if you can speak Thai

My 15 years old son is born on Samui, when he came to visit in Pattaya they asked him to speak English, didn't understand him.

18 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

It's his money on the wife's phone anyway. 😂

You mean as well as the government money.