I read complaint after complaint regarding Issaan living. Where I am, just north of Nong Han in a small village, I must say I recieve more respect here than I did in au. In the beginning I had a run in with the local drunk lads, a big one as I wouldn't pay for their grog. I left the next day and returned 2 days later to find the village elders had bulldozed their motorbike shop, with the gear still inside and banished then from the village for a set amount of time without me saying a word.

Since then I had employed a lot of tgem to build our house, village elders to, yes the village came to watch as they had never seen them work before. They all wondered how. Double for the elders did the job.

When I arrive from au they all come to say hello, with an interpreter as I am useless with the local language. If I need something, they find it for me, spotters fee of course, but the job always gets done on time. Lucky me.

My future retirement is set when the kid is old enough to fend for himself in au.

Reading your posts I deal so lucky. I spend 4 months a year in nth thai and love it.

I have made it an alcohol free zone and no one has ever disputed this . No one asks for money, family included.

Give a little respect , pay the elders extra in off rice season and life could not be better.

Where did you all go wrong?

Any others in the same boat as me?

<Where did you all go wrong?>

<pay the elders extra in off rice season and life could not be better.>

Obviously I went wrong because I didn't bribe the elders.

< Deleted troll post edited out >

To the OP ... welcome to Thai Visa, I'm an Aussie also ... we have something in common straight up ...

I've got limited experience in Issan, perhaps you would like to share some more?

Do you know that there is a whole Forum here dedicated to people who enjoy talking about all things Issan?

EDIT ... forgot to add ... great first post BTW ...

I'll go and enjoy another brew myself ................

.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by metisdead

OP maybe hasnt realised in Thailand the long game can be played as well........of course everything is happy in the la la land that is Thailand at moment....he is building an Isaan Mansion for someone, and will continue to be happy until the pick up is paid for...

Welcome to TV. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do well. Thailand is a great place and ignore all the naysayers a la the post above this one (but keep half an ear open because some of them do have valid points but they express them in such a polarised manner), live your life and make the most of it.

I never thought I'd be at the stage where my biggest problem in life (and I mean THE biggest problem - keeps me awake at night), is trying to get another 20 yards out of my driver. Thank you Thailand.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by Gsxrnz

Welcome to TV. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do well. Thailand is a great place and ignore all the naysayers a la the post above this one (but keep half an ear open because some of them do have valid points but they express them in such a polarised manner), live your life and make the most of it.

And always have a get of Dodge plan as well......as regards the naysaying...are you inferring what I was talking has never happened in Thailand or even Isaan to farang ?

Dont you think its better getting into something knowing the possible pit falls, than having the rosey spectacles on at all times ?

The key point being...dont leave your common sense head at the airport on the way in and always use the head on your shoulders to think, not the one in your trousers...

For me, setting up like you have, yet near a beach with fishing, boatiing and snorkeling etc, is yes.... brilliant. Or, I am hoping. Haven't gotten there yet

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by isawasnake

In life I have learnt to have an open mind with everything and everyone. Working in the immigration security area at detention centres, nth thai is nothing compared to what our clients go through.

I have a few falangs that informed me regarding the put falls and the benefits up here, and took note and couldn't of done it without these guys.

Yes I did my head in many times in the beginning until I learnt to count to 10 before I replied to any Thais in the village which now it's only up to 3 lol.

Got the house and farm, so plenty to do, with 2 market runs a day, helps a lot.

The local bib come and say hi, wave to me and always let me do as I do.

Also helped that the bibs bosses son was on the building crew, which at the time I did not know. He worked harder than all and got a weekly bonus.

Life's great to all that deserve it.

OP, do keep your wits about you and your eyes wide open, not half open. It is a very big learning curve here and do not think that all stuff is how you see it. You are deemed as a source of cash for folk, not saying that is the whole picture but you must be careful. I have been there and got the T shirt.

BUT, enjoy the experience your having eh. Once I sorted folk out it has been mainly plain sailing.

If the OP is happy, he's happy and that's a good thing.

But let's not pretend that giving advice to anyone in his position is 'Knocking Thailand'

The OP spends long holidays here, has invested money in a property in a remote village here and plans to move here full time.

He's happy now, but anyone in his position should think very carefully about planning for long term life here in Thailand, particularly in a remote location.

Full busy days building a home and dreaming of the future are not long term living in Thailand.

Property rights, access to own culture, access to health and welfare - all things that need to be considered.

I wish the best of luck to the OP, and advise he keeps a genuinely open mind on the advice he is given.

Trolling post removed.

Thanks guys keep the info coming, I do take all on board. Been 5 years in and out of issaan and look forward to meeting more falangs in November. I have been informed regarding living there as a permanent retirement plan but more info the better. I'm not young but not old either. New plans come in and most go even quicker whilst I look for the best thing for me in the future. At the moment the bro inlaw is loving the land and he's a good one to. He works hard a gives me a % which I sneak into mums bank who tells no one. Sneaky mummzy. But again, I'm listening.

Thanks guys keep the info coming, I do take all on board. Been 5 years in and out of issaan and look forward to meeting more falangs in November. I have been informed regarding living there as a permanent retirement plan but more info the better. I'm not young but not old either. New plans come in and most go even quicker whilst I look for the best thing for me in the future. At the moment the bro inlaw is loving the land and he's a good one to. He works hard a gives me a % which I sneak into mums bank who tells no one. Sneaky mummzy. But again, I'm listening.

I spend a lot of time in Thailand, but I don't live here, and I don't ever intend to live here.

The ideal world is to always have the flexibility to come and go as you please. Don't ever lose that. Ever.

@trans. I am not an ATM and that was sorted early in the peace. If the disabled need food, I will make sure they are fed. If the ill needs help, I will help them. For me, money is not the be all and end all. With the elders and inspector bib visiting regularly they have learnt not to ask as they will lose face very quickly as did the clowns mentioned in the first post.

Generous with limits. If the poor drink and gamble they will lose face very quickly.

The future plan is aus in summer and issaan all other times. I have to keep my sanity some how.

The future plan is aus in summer and issaan all other times. I have to keep my sanity some how.

Excellent plan.

I have never said that no one does not deserve anything. One makes Their own bed and lies in it. What goes around does come around, karma and all that dribble.
Work hard and help those that do good and try. Sit on your ass and complain about life, well it says it all.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by metisdead
Spelling mistake corrected.

Just be careful . A friend of mine (50 year old from Denmark) moved into a rural area down south.He bought a house and opened a net shop with his lady. All was well for a year or two than it all went pear shape for him. The first was boredom than he started drinking fighting with his wife etc. who moved out. The change in this guy was dramatic over a two year period he was not stupid he was in fact a international lawyer but when he woke up from his dream it was too late. He died two weeks ago aged 50 and no one cared just another ting tong farang.

I must add I am not knocking Thailand I love the place and have also invested there. But some times all is not what it seems and be also careful with the Poo yaa bans and police they will turn on you as fast a rabid soi dog.Peace.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by Scott

It looks like someone does not understand life. Is it ones fault they one is handicapped ?

They get a flat tyre, fix it for them.

They dribble, help them wipe it.

It's not hard to understand that they may not be able to build you a house, but a smile from them deserves a smile in return.

It ain't hard to make life better for anyone, even if its just acceptance they or I are after.

I think the difference with me is I met my wife in au after she had done a lot of world travelling before she introduced me to issaan and the family. I had never been o/a before and I know that I struck gold immediately. No bar girl , just an ethical hard working women that realises the importance of the dollar more than I did. I do now.

Gold gold gold. Many years together and it only gets better.

Thank you mummzy inlaw, you did a great job.

I think the difference with me is I met my wife in au after she had done a lot of world travelling before she introduced me to issaan and the family. I had never been o/a before and I know that I struck gold immediately. No bar girl , just an ethical hard working women that realises the importance of the dollar more than I did. I do now.

Gold gold gold. Many years together and it only gets better.

Thank you mummzy inlaw, you did a great job.

Sorry guys I think this guy is a troll. So not wasting my time reading his sad drivel live too short.

@ theblether. You picked it to my friend. Lol.

Always one in the crowd. Sad but so true.

Enjoy it for as long as it lasts, Ozybear. Very few things last forever, and if they end then just remember the good times and consider it all worth while. Never let bitterness take over your life.

I think the difference with me is I met my wife in au after she had done a lot of world travelling before she introduced me to issaan and the family. I had never been o/a before and I know that I struck gold immediately. No bar girl , just an ethical hard working women that realises the importance of the dollar more than I did. I do now.

Gold gold gold. Many years together and it only gets better.

Thank you mummzy inlaw, you did a great job.

Sorry guys I think this guy is a troll. So not wasting my time reading his sad drivel live too short.

+1,

OP maybe hasnt realised in Thailand the long game can be played as well........of course everything is happy in the la la land that is Thailand at moment....he is building an Isaan Mansion for someone, and will continue to be happy until the pick up is paid for...

you'r tough

Kits

He is keeping many locals employed then. From farmers to transporters to cooks to their landlords.

Hit 10000 calories theblether employ more. Just doing your bit for the local community.

Great work my friend.

Thailand lives you.

Smiles all round.

Thanks rene. Will do. Life's great.

Im glad you enjoy your life in the village Ozybear!...Its not for everyone, some even get taken out into the villages to fester (private joke)

Its the greatest part of Thailand enjoying village life and I wish you and your family all the best!

Thank you muchly Krispy Life is like a box of chocolates. Magnificent in issaan as they don't eat chocolate and I get them all. Lol.

Care to share as my box is now empty. ?