How do you guys stay busy in Issan? I am afraid i would become an alcoholic very quickly.

Drinking takes up about 90% of my day.

Lots to do. Play with computers. Ride motorcycles. Visit friends. Oh, did I mention ride motorcycles. Always fun to see the country with motorcycle trips. Never a dull moment for me. In fact sometimes "too busy".

Oh yea. And "play" on Thaivisa.com. Like right now I forgot how to put a .gif in a reply. So after doing some research I think I figured it out. We shall see with this post. Like I said, "too much fun".

Reason for edit: Took a few trys to get it right.

Thank Heavens for the Internet.

The parade of High Schooler's going to school and back as my wife beats me when I wave.

Counting Cows.

Watching my Schitzu chase the neighbors chickens.

So much to do and see. :-)

This is a question I've been meaning to ask for some time so I'm glad you did it for me. I hope to move to Mahasarakham at some time in the future and my gf will be working so I need things to do. I will have her mother to keep me company when she's not off to a temple somewhere and she wants to teach me Thai/Isaan which should be good as she speaks almost no English.

I think everyone finds their own level.

Individuals are just that - each person has his own needs.

I see (or don't see!) some folks who are just content living almost a hermit existence with their Thai partner/family. Others very quickly realise that they cannot live in Isaan and head back to Pattaya etc.

I am not quite ready to retire yet so I have become involved in a couple businesses.

Unless you can immerse yourself in Thai culture I strongly recommend that you find some way of getting other Falang company. It is good to spend time apart from your partner and in Kimamey's case this is enforced by the GF working - I doubt the MIL will provide stimulating company unless she is 32 and is happy to take of your needs while the GF is not there !

Seriously, you can go stir-crazy in Isaan if you haven't got some form of plan.

Unless, you do not drink at all you are likely to drink more because that is a big part of the 'social side' of both Thai culture and expat life.

Drinking takes up about 90% of my day.

Writing novels about Thailand, and spending ages marketing them. Still time for a few drinks, though.

As already said, it is easy to fall into the spiral of drinking more and exercising less. The second option needs shed loads of stamina in this hot climate but also

helps ward off problems arisen from the first option.

I have found more friends here in Isaan than anywhere previously and to that end, local Internet sites have helped too. Thai parties seem to be a way of life here and I attend many with my wife; they are sometimes good fun.

Hobbies; be it golf,motorbiking are a good idea, as is learning the local lingo (which I am useless at).

Some sort of transport is essential otherwise I would go 'stir crazy' being stuck in my village 24/7

For me, not enough hours in the day to do all I want to do. It helps to have work (that's called "a job"). Stay busy with work.

My grandfather never had a sick day in his life. But when he retired, he sat in front of the TV and died within 5 months, literally from boredom and lack of purpose.

When the Good Lord wants you to "retire," He'll arrange it. You don't have to.

How do you stay busy anywhere? You develop your interests, work on your hobbies, take an interest in your surroundings. Other than hang around shopping malls or girlie bars, I can't think of many things I could do in a big city that I can't do here in my Buri Ram village. I can however think of a whole lot of things I can do here that I couldn't do there. And the bright lights of Buri Ram and Surin are only half an hours drive/motorbike ride away should the lure of urbanistion momentarily become too great.

Drinking takes up about 90% of my day.

Writing novels about Thailand, and spending ages marketing them. Still time for a few drinks, though.

So you have been published? Well done! Are you able to tell us about your books?

from ThaiVisa Profile -- Interests: Braille -- Founder of US 501c3 Non-Profit (NGO); US Library of Congress Certified

Braille Transcriber; Volunteered 2001-2003 at Thai NGO Under Patronage of HM the King.

*****

I do most of my own cooking so a lot of market shopping early AM but several Thai persons often come over and eat it all before I have a chance;

swimming (1500m / day 4-5x per week)

... and snarky replies on ThaiVisa.

Drinking takes up about 90% of my day.

Writing novels about Thailand, and spending ages marketing them. Still time for a few drinks, though.

So you have been published? Well done! Are you able to tell us about your books?

<snip> yes, I have been published. The latest book came out about three weeks ago. If you click on my profile picture, then click on my own home webpage, you will find more information.

Wouldn't this depend on a person's interests? I think active alcoholics drink when they are bored and not bored; happy/sad; rains/ sun shines :-)

Lots to do. Play with computers. Ride motorcycles. Visit friends. Oh, did I mention ride motorcycles. Always fun to see the country with motorcycle trips. Never a dull moment for me. In fact sometimes "too busy".

Hey Ken,

I brought my little 200cc Phantom with me from BKK. We have only been here (in Isaan 20K N of Kaeng Khlor) for almost 3 months and have enjoyed a few rides. I avoid highways - just don't enjoy being on them and still not accustomed to riding a little bike. :-) I think my wife feels it's only "rich people" who just go out and "cruze." But I love putting the back roads.

Do you live anywhere near Kaeng Khlor. I do miss chatting w/ English speakers.

Cheers,

Keoki

Lots to do. Play with computers. Ride motorcycles. Visit friends. Oh, did I mention ride motorcycles. Always fun to see the country with motorcycle trips. Never a dull moment for me. In fact sometimes "too busy".

Hey Ken,

I brought my little 200cc Phantom with me from BKK. We have only been here (in Isaan 20K N of Kaeng Khlor) for almost 3 months and have enjoyed a few rides. I avoid highways - just don't enjoy being on them and still not accustomed to riding a little bike. :-) I think my wife feels it's only "rich people" who just go out and "cruze." But I love putting the back roads.

Do you live anywhere near Kaeng Khlor. I do miss chatting w/ English speakers.

Cheers,

Keoki

Keoki,

That's what I ride, a 200cc Phantom. I'm currently in USA for a couple months, but will be back to Thailand in November. I also like the back roads and typically on my longer trips will follow them to get to my destinations. Usually head North (from Korat), sometimes thru the mountains and up to the Laos Rivers. Sometimes head East and occasionally South.

Anyway, don't know where Kaeng Khlor is. Where is that in relation to Korat? I live about 80 Km Northwest of Korat. I do typically get in to Korat once a week. Many times the motorcycle trips are with a few friends (some with bigger bikes who manage to stay with me, usually), are a couple days to several days in duration. Lots of fun.

Cheers.

Ken

How do you stay busy anywhere? You develop your interests, work on your hobbies, take an interest in your surroundings.

Spot on I think. A friend of mine has this problem. I say to him get some hobbies - find out what interests you. Try different things etc..

It really annoys me as well - some people are working 9 to 5 thinking 'oh i wish i could be fishing' or something similar... and he is sat there bored!

Other things I say are.. research starting a low entry business... learn things... languages.. etc..

I work in Sakonnakhon, Eat, Sheite, shave, sleep, drive motorbike all around on weekends, explore the markets, local festivities, drink beer at home or at some local bars, play guitar, drink beer, cook, walk, play internet, watch TV, drink beer etc

And most of all TRY TO SOCIALIZE !!!!!!!!

BANJO.bmp

I want to learn how to socialise without getting royally drunk!

I want to learn how to socialise without getting royally drunk!

Simple, just drink 15 beers instead of 30

I want to learn how to socialise without getting royally drunk!

Simple, just drink 15 beers instead of 30

Just drink beers (as many as you like) instead of gin - the drink of English royalty at least

After an hefty breakfast session, one of the best answers came from the Bacon itself: " A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds "

I want to learn how to socialise without getting royally drunk!

No....... I can't see the point in that one.

I want to learn how to socialise without getting royally drunk!

No....... I can't see the point in that one.

haha thinking about it .. me neither!

Lots to do. Play with computers. Ride motorcycles. Visit friends. Oh, did I mention ride motorcycles. Always fun to see the country with motorcycle trips. Never a dull moment for me. In fact sometimes "too busy".

Hey Ken,

I brought my little 200cc Phantom with me from BKK. We have only been here (in Isaan 20K N of Kaeng Khlor) for almost 3 months and have enjoyed a few rides. I avoid highways - just don't enjoy being on them and still not accustomed to riding a little bike. :-) I think my wife feels it's only "rich people" who just go out and "cruze." But I love putting the back roads.

Do you live anywhere near Kaeng Khlor. I do miss chatting w/ English speakers.

Cheers,

Keoki

Would that have you somewhere around Ampur Khon Sawan? Ban Sok / Ban Jok area?

For anyone who isn't busy enough, come on over to my place and I'll fix that for you. Always a cold beer in thr fridge at the end of the day.

This topic fascinates me. Why now ask how to stay busy in New York, London, anywhere?

IA

For anyone who isn't busy enough, come on over to my place and I'll fix that for you. Always a cold beer in thr fridge at the end of the day.

This topic fascinates me. Why now ask how to stay busy in New York, London, anywhere?

IA

And the directions to you beer fridge are?

Is there any other falangs around kalasin who would like to organize get togethers,and bike rides around issan,i am in the process of getting a bigger bike.

My idea is to have a once a week get together at a pre arranged meeting place then head off on trip,if not once a week maybe once a month.

I keep busy by most of the things mentioned before plus fishing.

nev :jap: