Hi all

I am new to this site and have had great fun reading many posts today, so thought would sign up.

A little about me, im 31 from England and my tgf is 34. i have been here now for 9 months.

first few months travelling around Thailand with a final visit to the tgf parents up in nong song hong

100km south of khon kaen. before returning to pattaya/ jomtien.

although we only spent 3 weeks in the village I had a great time a little bored after 7pm when everyone just disappears

but soon learnt the reason for that was because everyone is up at the crack of dawn.

As I was not used to rising early the first week I would sleep till 9, until the searing heat from the tin roof, the loud speakers, several

animals and locals talking/shouting finally became to much.

On one of these such mornings I went downstairs to get a cold shower wearing only my boxers as normally the house was empty with everyone busy outside,

but to my embarrassment and there amusement the fil visiting family of 10/12 were waiting to to create me.

After a quick shower and fully dressed came back and had the formal introductions all went smoothly.

Whilst there had a few street party's which really helped to integrate with the community,

Before arriving had heard stories of villagers only thinking of you as walking atm's wanting smoke,beers,whisky and money

but I can say my experience was all good. when I arrived I did buy the fil beers and smokes which he shared with all the guest

who wanted to come see me, but no one took the p*ss 2/3 small glasses at most before going back to there place with a great big smile.

The 3 weeks I was there just flew bye everyday learning something new about the village, even laying in the hammock every day for hour's

was fun with every person stopping to talk and look at me. even though we could not understand each other we would talk are own languages

but with a friendly attitude and big smile all is well.

Now back in my small condo in jomtien missing the open space friendly local and the hammock.

The good news is my gf is pregnant so we have decided to pack our bags and settle down back in the village with the support of her parents and family

as this is both our first child and will be grateful of the help im sure.

That's enough now for my first post don't know what the point of my story was, just wanted to share my experience I guess.

Also if there is anyone living near my village would be good to hear from you, will never so no to a drinking partner.

at 31... very young for village life...i survived 4 years...but the boredom and the interference from the family was just to much..

no privacy at all..the more they get used to you..the more they expect...

life in the village can be good and bad...in my village they spoke what they call issan..so i spoke thai and every body ignored me...

so i learnt issan...then it was falang lauw mak..which means falang aint stupid..be careful what you say..

yes they talk about you and money all day long...

this wont be easy for you for sure

we only spent 3 weeks in the village I had a great time a little bored after 7pm when everyone just disappears

but soon learnt the reason for that was because everyone is up at the crack of dawn.

As I was not used to rising early the first week I would sleep till 9, until the searing heat from the tin roof, the loud speakers, several

animals and locals talking/shouting finally became to much.

that says it all..BOREDOM..

hotrod

Yes I was bored at first as I was used to late nights and never saw the mornings, but after a while realised the morning a very nice and properly the best time of day.

Don't get me wrong I know its not going to be bubbling with excitement 24/7 but as I said this is are first child and for the first 5 or so years will be nice place to watch my child grow. if I took them bk to the uk would be working the majority of the time. so as I have the chance to see my child grow I will take it with both hands.

We will being spending 3/4 months a year in the uk visiting family and some work, also have young friends living in khon kean so some weekends will be spent up there enjoying the nightlife. so a good mix I feel.

The girlfriend is a only child so not to much interference

When I was 31 years old, I would have found it difficult to settle down anywhere, but at 51 I do find living in Ubon enjoyable.

hotrod

Yes I was bored at first as I was used to late nights and never saw the mornings, but after a while realised the morning a very nice and properly the best time of day.

Don't get me wrong I know its not going to be bubbling with excitement 24/7 but as I said this is are first child and for the first 5 or so years will be nice place to watch my child grow. if I took them bk to the uk would be working the majority of the time. so as I have the chance to see my child grow I will take it with both hands.

We will being spending 3/4 months a year in the uk visiting family and some work, also have young friends living in khon kean so some weekends will be spent up there enjoying the nightlife. so a good mix I feel.

The girlfriend is a only child so not to much interference

see how it goes ,,best of luck..learn issan quickly...

I have spent the last 3 years travelling asia and oz. so am happy to settle down and raise a family now.

Thanks hotrod I will give it my best shot. life is about trying new things so unless I try will never no.

if I do fail to settle the world is a big place so onwards and upwards.

Mike glad your enjoying yourself.

Good for you mate! I'm roughly the same age as you and will be making my first thai village trip soon too. I'm nervous but excited at the same time.

You know ... just quietly ... I reckon there's a lot of bridges in Issan ...

Awesome first post ...

well done mate .... follow your heart and forget the opinions of others ...great intro post !! goodluck ...

Nice first post and it reminds me about my own first show up 10+ years ago. Except the baby thing I experienced the same and still live inside the family clan, in our own small house. Never rued one second. And true, we go to bed at 8pm and are up with the sun. Enjoy Isaan

Fatfather

Sent from my phone

I guess it's time to think about the future, now.

In my village they speak Khmen. After my first visit I wondered whether to try to learn Thai or Khmen. I decided to learn Thai for two reasons, what is the point of learning a language where 50kms up the road they don't know what the hell you are talking about, and secondly supposing I got tired of life here, or circumstances changed and I went to live in another part of Thailand? Thai is the official language, you won't hear Laou, Khmen or Seuway spoken on the T,V., kids in scholl are taught in Thai.

I'm still in the village after nearly 25 years. Everyone knows that I don't speak Khmen and they address me in Thai, I have never had any animosity because of this. You're young and may have the ability to learn both languages, but I suggest you concentrate on Thai first.

Good luck.

Quite right. In the village where I live they speak Khmer too. I speak good Thai and by doing that I can also now pick up Khmer.

Thai is used everywhere so learn that first. The dialects can be kept for a bit of banter with the locals.

Thanks guys I will stick to learning thai first and will no doubt pick up local slang along the way.

What visa are you on? you may have problems staying here long term at your age and not married?

Welcome to Issan life. Been here 11 years, 2 kids and yes it does take some getting used to. Some people hate the lifestyle others love it. Personally, I enjoy the occasional trips to Udon or Khon Kaen and sometimes even Bangkok but after a couple of days I'm longing to get back to the peace and quiet of village life. Enjoy it while you can, you never know what's round the corner.

Is Nong Song Hong near Kaengkhro? I/we live in Nong Sang??? maybe spelt Nong Song; it's a/b 20k from Kaengkhor and a/b 90K South of Khonkaen.

Been living here for almost 4 years. What a learning experience. lol Welcom.... lol "stay tuned."

Keoki

Welcome to Issan life. Been here 11 years, 2 kids and yes it does take some getting used to. Some people hate the lifestyle others love it. Personally, I enjoy the occasional trips to Udon or Khon Kaen and sometimes even Bangkok but after a couple of days I'm longing to get back to the peace and quiet of village life. Enjoy it while you can, you never know what's round the corner.

Peace and quiet of village life? LOL I know you don't live in our village. lol Quiet???? Yea w/ earplugs in. :-)

What a nice post. How refreshing to see someone having a positive experience here.

Congratulations! It is nice to hear a nice story and comments about Thai experiences....

It is true that you have to be careful, like in any other culture so different like the Asian culture, but, at the same time, you may have the best experience ever and find your place in the world. I did.

Be happy and safe.

Good luck and hope it works out.

I came to thailand full time at 33,my only advice is dont get conned into buying family assets,buy your own plot not far away and everything should be smooth sailing.

Built the first village house when I was 24. Another ten years later round the corner.

It can be very tough living in a village, can get very irritating and boring all at the same time. However, it grows on you, you'll settle in and it all quietens down within a few months. You must have interests and hobbies, mine are photo'ing things, gardening and DIY. Don't get on the drink.

Oh and it's quite normal for a villager to walk in and start watching the television. Don't be alarmed.

Hi guys

Great comments, with regards to my visa im on a tourist 90 at present but am thinking of 15 month study visa next.

We plan to get married after the baby is born so can get a spouse visa after the study visa.

I did think about buying own land but it still wont be legally mine so don't see the difference,

my gf is a only child and the parents are in the late 60s so will all go to her anyway.

I would be interested in looking into get the land transferred into are childs name if that is possible for peace of mind.

We wont be building a farang mansion the land is only small anyway in between her aunt's houses.

just looking to built a basic western 3 bed house, the fil thinks 700k single story or 1m for 2 story.

ive looked at some websites and that seems about right. As long as i have a good bed sit down toilet comfy sofa internet, PlayStation

and cable tv with the football that will do me.

If can make room for a pool table even better.

Hi guys

Great comments, with regards to my visa im on a tourist 90 at present but am thinking of 15 month study visa next.

We plan to get married after the baby is born so can get a spouse visa after the study visa.

I did think about buying own land but it still wont be legally mine so don't see the difference,

my gf is a only child and the parents are in the late 60s so will all go to her anyway.

I would be interested in looking into get the land transferred into are childs name if that is possible for peace of mind.

We wont be building a farang mansion the land is only small anyway in between her aunt's houses.

just looking to built a basic western 3 bed house, the fil thinks 700k single story or 1m for 2 story.

ive looked at some websites and that seems about right. As long as i have a good bed sit down toilet comfy sofa internet, PlayStation

and cable tv with the football that will do me.

If can make room for a pool table even better.

Staying close to the Family is a great idea.

If you can't share a house with them ... close by is close enough.

Great when the baby is delivered, particularly if your gf returns to work after giving birth.

What job did she have in Pattaya? Maybe she can find similar work close by?

Be careful of face though.

I think the FiL is a little low with his estimates ... quality house cost more then that.

Maybe budgeting closer to 1,500,000 for the house ... you do wish to impress the Family ... don't you ... particularly with a pool table room. Darn those things are expensive to buy in Thailand!

Good Luck ...

Hi guys

Great comments, with regards to my visa im on a tourist 90 at present but am thinking of 15 month study visa next.

We plan to get married after the baby is born so can get a spouse visa after the study visa.

I did think about buying own land but it still wont be legally mine so don't see the difference,

my gf is a only child and the parents are in the late 60s so will all go to her anyway.

I would be interested in looking into get the land transferred into are childs name if that is possible for peace of mind.

We wont be building a farang mansion the land is only small anyway in between her aunt's houses.

just looking to built a basic western 3 bed house, the fil thinks 700k single story or 1m for 2 story.

ive looked at some websites and that seems about right. As long as i have a good bed sit down toilet comfy sofa internet, PlayStation

and cable tv with the football that will do me.

If can make room for a pool table even better.

Your child can own the freehold. There's no age of majority on freehold in Thailand.

David's right. Build cost has shot up, budget for 1.5m. See if you can still get teak root furniture made locally, that's nice stuff.

Hi guys

Great comments, with regards to my visa im on a tourist 90 at present but am thinking of 15 month study visa next.

We plan to get married after the baby is born so can get a spouse visa after the study visa.

I did think about buying own land but it still wont be legally mine so don't see the difference,

my gf is a only child and the parents are in the late 60s so will all go to her anyway.

I would be interested in looking into get the land transferred into are childs name if that is possible for peace of mind.

We wont be building a farang mansion the land is only small anyway in between her aunt's houses.

just looking to built a basic western 3 bed house, the fil thinks 700k single story or 1m for 2 story.

ive looked at some websites and that seems about right. As long as i have a good bed sit down toilet comfy sofa internet, PlayStation

and cable tv with the football that will do me.

If can make room for a pool table even better.

700,000 to a mill between the fil's and the aunties,your not listening but still hope it works out.

I was working on 8000 to 10000 sqm and a house size of just 100/120 sqm. nothing fancy.

No do not want or trying to impress the family with a big house and if I do get a pool table it is for my benefit alone.

They know im young and don't have the cash the older guys have. the mil just seems to be happy to be getting a gran child

and that her daughter has someone to to spend her life with. she worried a lot about that.

The fil was not asking to give him the money and he would sort it, I just asked for a rough idea from him.

The gf sold plastic flowers to big hotels nothing managerial taking orders and delivery's and now she works in a condo cleaning

until xmas when she will finish work.

she wont work after the baby, but im sure she will help out on the farm.

farmerjo I don't understand what your getting at? im a very easy going guy and don't see a problem staying with her mum dad

they are very nice people and well respected in the community.

I was working on 8000 to 10000 sqm and a house size of just 100/120 sqm. nothing fancy.

No do not want or trying to impress the family with a big house and if I do get a pool table it is for my benefit alone.

They know im young and don't have the cash the older guys have. the mil just seems to be happy to be getting a gran child

and that her daughter has someone to to spend her life with. she worried a lot about that.

The fil was not asking to give him the money and he would sort it, I just asked for a rough idea from him.

The gf sold plastic flowers to big hotels nothing managerial taking orders and delivery's and now she works in a condo cleaning

until xmas when she will finish work.

she wont work after the baby, but im sure she will help out on the farm.

farmerjo I don't understand what your getting at? im a very easy going guy and don't see a problem staying with her mum dad

they are very nice people and well respected in the community.

You need to ask yourself what you can afford. I don't want to put a dampner on the romance and all, but you also need to ask yourself how much can you afford to lose. That will set the budget.