What Are The Positives Of Living In Isaan?

[jamescollister]

Havnt read the whole thread but heres mine..

Cheaper, alot cheaper.

Friendlier.

Weathers not so smoggy and sticky I think.

Foods good.

Less tourists.

You got some of it right, cheaper , not really and as for food. Have you ever really eaten what the locals eat, if you had you would not be saying foods good. Been here over 10 years and still can't stomach some of the dishes. Jim

[jamescollister]

Since I just realized I can do this on my very poor internet, will post another video. One of the reasons I live here. Jim

[revar]

The people!

Making your own live work instead of competing with city slickers.

The non-stress environment.

Some of the food.

Freedom (less strict rules then in the west or tourist spots).

Sent from my GT-S6102 using Thaivisa Connect App

Edited December 17, 2012 by revar

[sirchai]

Another positive aspect living here might be that we're not surprised when girls "shoot" with Ping Pong balls, or bananas.

Guess most of us have seen that before.--

[sirchai]

Since I just realized I can do this on my very poor internet, will post another video. One of the reasons I live here. Jim

Don't worry Jim. You'll have access to free 3 G Wifi soon.--

[cardholder]

Another positive aspect living here might be that we're not surprised when girls "shoot" with Ping Pong balls, or bananas.

Guess most of us have seen that before.--

Certainly not in my Moo Baan..............

[bunnydrops]

"I say to the wife, you better go back and try another Monk as this will lead to tetanus, blood poisoning and death within the week. She doesn't see the funny side." Jim, I have read, and found to be true that Thai's don't understand satire. I have learned to be very careful with my wit.

Edited December 18, 2012 by bunnydrops

[payak]

love staying there, but any long length of time gets boring, we are all different however.

[nev]

"I say to the wife, you better go back and try another Monk as this will lead to tetanus, blood poisoning and death within the week. She doesn't see the funny side." Jim, I have read, and found to be true that Thai's don't understand satire. I have learned to be very careful with my wit.

So true about satire, they seem to take everything the wrong way, then you spend ages trying to explain the joke.

[sirchai]

What are the positive aspects fro girls in Isaan?

Not a before dawn type person generally but jet lag the first day or two has me up to behold sunrises like this at the house.

Sunrise and sunset are two of the highlights of living in Isaan.

I think the bits inbetween that are quite important too.

Like listening to the village head in the morning, who wakes you up and than the squad toilet. A DAY THAT USUALLY STARTS WITH SHIT

[yasorab]

Much depends on where you are and what you expect from it ! The big cities / towns such as Khon Kean, Ubon, Udon, Roiet and the like are all fine with something to offer the farangs. If however you choose to go native and live in the sticks, make sure you have a good internet connection and subscribe to True Visions or you will indeed go off your head. Living as I do in a small village and being the only farang around,there is only so much conversation / socialising you can do. Its all up to you !! Good Luck

[klikster]

I think what appeals to me about Issan

• Fewer clusters of "farang entertainment areas"
  
• More expats who are seasoned in Thailand and happier in their day to day lives
  
• Easier driving
  
• Locals are friendly but not "overly / falsely" friendly
  

[jamescollister]

Much depends on where you are and what you expect from it ! The big cities / towns such as Khon Kean, Ubon, Udon, Roiet and the like are all fine with something to offer the farangs. If however you choose to go native and live in the sticks, make sure you have a good internet connection and subscribe to True Visions or you will indeed go off your head. Living as I do in a small village and being the only farang around,there is only so much conversation / socialising you can do. Its all up to you !! Good Luck

Think I live in the most isolated place in Issan, bad net, no Sat TV[ Tight with a dollars ] but live. 2 kids and a an extended family to support, sometimes. Though I have to say, I am insane or mad. Jim

[downtown]

me, wifey and daughter had a few weeks in ubon in nov/dec came back to england a fortnight ago. everyday since weve been back, its rained and it doesnt get light till 8am and dark again by 3pm. i cant tell you how depressing it is. if things were different, wish we were all back in ubon

[DILLIGAD]

Agree with many post/comments but I think your life and luck is what YOU make of it, wherever you are.

I am happy in Isaan (however you spell it)

[rct99q]

I have 3 jobs, 32 and counting chickens, 17 ducks, countless fish, 4 dogs, 2 cows, fields of rice, lotus and chilis, in the middle of building a house with another coming early next year, teaching local kids English, gossiping with the local elders, 1 child with one on the way......finally have a day off (a day to myself) and am bored.

Life here is what you make of it. I have friends who sit in a bar picking up the same girls every night with the same old stories and they are as happy as can be. They think I am crazy for working so hard. I think they are crazy living it up every night.

As for the food. some of the best food in the world is prepared here in Nong Khai region of Isan. Som Tam poo bpa lah, Som Tam Laos, Plaa Hange (dried fish), Khanom Cheen, khao niao and moo ping, plaa dtin, plaa tort, those funny half developed chicken eggs cooked in a steamer (gluak, i think), fried chicken feet, cow intestines steamed in sweet sauce.....yummy!

[jamescollister]

I have 3 jobs, 32 and counting chickens, 17 ducks, countless fish, 4 dogs, 2 cows, fields of rice, lotus and chilis, in the middle of building a house with another coming early next year, teaching local kids English, gossiping with the local elders, 1 child with one on the way......finally have a day off (a day to myself) and am bored.

Life here is what you make of it. I have friends who sit in a bar picking up the same girls every night with the same old stories and they are as happy as can be. They think I am crazy for working so hard. I think they are crazy living it up every night.

As for the food. some of the best food in the world is prepared here in Nong Khai region of Isan. Som Tam poo bpa lah, Som Tam Laos, Plaa Hange (dried fish), Khanom Cheen, khao niao and moo ping, plaa dtin, plaa tort, those funny half developed chicken eggs cooked in a steamer (gluak, i think), fried chicken feet, cow intestines steamed in sweet sauce.....yummy!

You have a better stomach than me, can't eat half developed chicken eggs, not big on chicken feet and no way can I eat raw water Buffalo dipped in that red hot chilli. Other things ok, but tend to get the wife to cook with olive oil and garlic, has some flavor then.

Sticky rice is ok, but would rather have potatoes or sweet potatoes, yams etc.

Strange as it may seem, family all love the westernized way of cooking things, they would rather eat a chicken soup with a chicken that has been dead for more than 10 minutes and carved up not hacked to pieces with an axe, no bones.Jim

As a PS people eat mushrooms that are poisonous, they have built up an immunity to them, will make you or me very sick or dead. We had a family of 3 [ Thai ] die here from eating poisonous mushrooms last year, be careful in what you eat.

Edited December 30, 2012 by jamescollister

[Diablo Bob]

As a PS people eat mushrooms that are poisonous, they have built up an immunity to them , will make you or me very sick or dead. We had a family of 3 [ Thai ] die here from eating poisonous mushrooms last year , be careful in what you eat.

I take it that their immune systems weren't quite ready yet.........

[jamescollister]

As a PS people eat mushrooms that are poisonous, they have built up an immunity to them , will make you or me very sick or dead. We had a family of 3 [ Thai ] die here from eating poisonous mushrooms last year , be careful in what you eat.

I take it that their immune systems weren't quite ready yet.........

No just didn't know which not to eat, some you can and some will kill, othes will make you sick. Unfortunately for that family they picked some that kill, hard to tell the difference, lots of mushrooms in the jungle at times. Some good others bad, but Thais tend to eat anything and hard to tell the difference, old people know, but younger ones, just see mushrooms. Jim

[downtown]

I have 3 jobs, 32 and counting chickens, 17 ducks, countless fish, 4 dogs, 2 cows, fields of rice, lotus and chilis, in the middle of building a house with another coming early next year, teaching local kids English, gossiping with the local elders, 1 child with one on the way......finally have a day off (a day to myself) and am bored.

Life here is what you make of it. I have friends who sit in a bar picking up the same girls every night with the same old stories and they are as happy as can be. They think I am crazy for working so hard. I think they are crazy living it up every night.

As for the food. some of the best food in the world is prepared here in Nong Khai region of Isan. Som Tam poo bpa lah, Som Tam Laos, Plaa Hange (dried fish), Khanom Cheen, khao niao and moo ping, plaa dtin, plaa tort, those funny half developed chicken eggs cooked in a steamer (gluak, i think), fried chicken feet, cow intestines steamed in sweet sauce.....yummy!

You have a better stomach than me, can't eat half developed chicken eggs, not big on chicken feet and no way can I eat raw water Buffalo dipped in that red hot chilli. Other things ok, but tend to get the wife to cook with olive oil and garlic, has some flavor then.

Sticky rice is ok, but would rather have potatoes or sweet potatoes, yams etc.

Strange as it may seem, family all love the westernized way of cooking things, they would rather eat a chicken soup with a chicken that has been dead for more than 10 minutes and carved up not hacked to pieces with an axe, no bones.Jim

As a PS people eat mushrooms that are poisonous, they have built up an immunity to them, will make you or me very sick or dead. We had a family of 3 [ Thai ] die here from eating poisonous mushrooms last year, be careful in what you eat.

reminds me of a few years ago on the isle of wight. one woman died and another lady seriously ill. my wife said "stupid english people dont know the difference"..no actualy they were Thai

[songhklasid]

Previous post are great, It's all about the simple lifestyle, good food, friendly good natured isaan people, as in previous posts, if you can enjoy above lifestyle within a reasonable distance to a major town so you can indulge in a sunday roast & a few jugs & entertainment all the better.

regards songhklasid.

[rct99q]

Not just Thais though....lived in Canada among other places and people there have become ill or died from eating mushrooms they thought were okay. Tried spaghetti on the old man here many years ago.....did not go over too well. However have got them on the pasta salad. They love it. Mind you it comes with the usual chili's and nam plaa but hey.