Poor Isaan...

[kirstymelb101]

most of you already know Isann is the poorest part of Thailand. But which province in Isaan is actually the poorest? I'm currently located in Kalasin, which is aprox 1hr 30min bus trip from Khon Kan and many have told me it's the 2nd poorest province. Strangely enough I couldn't find anything on Google regarding this matter.

[khwaibah]

The reason you can not find info on Google is because the statement <deleted>..

[Jubes]

Why do you even care which is the poorest? Issan provinces have provided me with some of the richest experiences in thailand, good and bad.

[Jip99]

There is wealth everywhere if you look for it:-

http://www.forbes.com/sites/suzynam/2013/07/03/thailands-richest-newcomer-is-a-retailer-who-made-his-fortune-in-nations-poorest-area/

[Jip99]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thai_provinces_by_GPP

Kalasin on par with Phang Nga

[CTO]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thai_provinces_by_GPP

http://www.thaiwebsites.com/provinces-GDP.asp

[Totster]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

[kirstymelb101]

The reason you can not find info on Google is because the statement <deleted>..

The question crossed my mind and made me curious so I had to ask that's all. I had no intentions to offend you, sir.

[kirstymelb101]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

[Totster]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Being poor doesn't necessarily mean misery.

totster

[kirstymelb101]

Why do you even care which is the poorest? Issan provinces have provided me with some of the richest experiences in thailand, good and bad.

I agree. My family roots originate from kalasin and I love it here! When I arrived I was treated like royalty by my family and everyone in the village. Such a warm welcome from everyone. Although It took me a while to adapt to the lifestyle change and the pace of things. Sometimes I get bored, but not once have I felt lonely.

Edited November 22, 2013 by kirstymelb101

[kirstymelb101]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Being poor doesn't necessarily mean misery.

totster

That's true! I've broaden my perspective and view the world differently now.

[Jubes]

@kirstymelb101, Kalasin and Melbourne a massive difference, at least the weather's abit more consistent in kalasin 5555 but surely more boring

[StevenHeidbriderSr]

I have noticed in my 2 years in retirement here that many in my village spend far too much of their time and money Gambling and Drinking away what little they have and are in debt to the point of no return.

I have Family Members Angry because as a "Rich American" I dont gift them my money. I refuse to be used as their ATM to help enable their poor decisions.

Seems everything is a scheme to Seperate the Farang and his money. It took being scammed by a building contractor,family members, etc.. for me to learn but i have learned the hard way. My money STAYS in the Bank!

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

There are many Great, Honest, and hard working people in Isaan but some really bad habits need to be Educated out of the culture IMO

[TimTang]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Exactly! It seems that happiness is now determined by how much money you have and how well educated you are. Is it really important to a person in Isan to know that Obamacare is destroying the middle class in America and with the Fed printing 70+ billion a month of American dollars that all the currencies in the the world will be devalued as long as the American dollar remains the international currency of trade? As long as they are growing rice and can sustain themselves they will be oblivious.

[Totster]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Exactly! It seems that happiness is now determined by how much money you have and how well educated you are. Is it really important to a person in Isan to know that Obamacare is destroying the middle class in America and with the Fed printing 70+ billion a month of American dollars that all the currencies in the the world will be devalued as long as the American dollar remains the international currency of trade? As long as they are growing rice and can sustain themselves they will be oblivious.

Why are you blabbering on about US politics, no one here gives a f

totster

[TimTang]

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

Gambling has always been a very strong Asian trait. I doubt if it would be easy to eliminate. Alcohol has always been a release from boredom which makes it equally hard to eliminate. I agree with you but I don't think it would be easy to change things when in that particular region living in an isolated area the only form of entertainment is agriculture.

Edited November 22, 2013 by TimTang

[Jubes]

Turning down the karaoke machine might be something worth looking at also 55555

[richard_smith237]

I'm currently in Kalasin on a project at the moment...

It doesn't strike me as particularly poor... maybe I'm measuring things with the wrong yardstick...

But its has a BigC, a Tesco's... plenty of new looking red plated cars around, a vibrant market, a large hospital.

It has a handful of decent bars / restaurants, although not a huge selection...

I agree - the slower pace of life here is quite relaxing compared to Bangkok.

It doesn't have the major shopping, but KK is close enough for that.

Nearly poorest province in Thailand?... I'm not sure, it doesn't look that way, but it could be poorer as it has a relatively small population compared to other provinces with a large main city.

[SantiSuk]

Most of the bigger province towns and even most of the Amphur towns in Isaan seem to be reasonably wealthy - what resources there are (and there seems to be a whole lot more resources than when I arrived here 6 years ago) migrate there. Go to a village away from the main roads and more than 20k from the nearest large town and you will see a different face to Isaan - particularly among households populated only by old people.

Edited November 22, 2013 by SantiSuk

[krisb]

That question is too hard to answer. There's to many variables. Is it what town looks the poorest? or least amount of household income? Least amount of employment? Si Chompu would have to be up there looks wise. Chumphae looks pretty beaten up. Then again I like both these places a lot and always look forward to the next trip. I took my Mum to our village called Sok Som Kob which is off the road between Chumphae and Chompu. Mums from Adelaide Australia. She got a real dose of culture shock out there but had a ball! She won't go back until the house is finished and air cond in every room including the toilet me thinks!

Boy, it really is a tough question!

[Isaanben]

Why do you even care which is the poorest? Issan provinces have provided me with some of the richest experiences in thailand, good and bad.

I agree. My family roots originate from kalasin and I love it here! When I arrived I was treated like royalty by my family and everyone in the village. Such a warm welcome from everyone. Although It took me a while to adapt to the lifestyle change and the pace of things. Sometimes I get bored, but not once have I felt lonely.

I live in Kalasin too, in a small village. About 20 km northeast from the town. On the road to Somdet/Sakon Nakhon. Since four years. Where do you live? PM me when you get bored. I am not from a english speaking country but I hope I can speak to you anyway...

[Dancealot]

I have noticed in my 2 years in retirement here that many in my village spend far too much of their time and money Gambling and Drinking away what little they have and are in debt to the point of no return.

I have Family Members Angry because as a "Rich American" I dont gift them my money. I refuse to be used as their ATM to help enable their poor decisions.

Seems everything is a scheme to Seperate the Farang and his money. It took being scammed by a building contractor,family members, etc.. for me to learn but i have learned the hard way. My money STAYS in the Bank!

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

There are many Great, Honest, and hard working people in Isaan but some really bad habits need to be Educated out of the culture IMO

Subjective as this may seem, I feel it's worth repeating this excellent opinion.

Steven

[Jip99]

I have noticed in my 2 years in retirement here that many in my village spend far too much of their time and money Gambling and Drinking away what little they have and are in debt to the point of no return.

I have Family Members Angry because as a "Rich American" I dont gift them my money. I refuse to be used as their ATM to help enable their poor decisions.

Seems everything is a scheme to Seperate the Farang and his money. It took being scammed by a building contractor,family members, etc.. for me to learn but i have learned the hard way. My money STAYS in the Bank!

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

There are many Great, Honest, and hard working people in Isaan but some really bad habits need to be Educated out of the culture IMO

Subjective as this may seem, I feel it's worth repeating this excellent opinion.

Steven

Repeated?

It should be pinned to every arrivals desk at Suvarnabhumi airport.....

[Bpuumike]

I live in a small village roughly half way between Kalasin and Roi Et.

Yes it's a very poor area but the people manage to live rich lives.

[zyphodb]

I live in a v. small village 50km from Chaiyaphum which is the nearest place for Makros, Tescos, Big C etc.

Yes it's very poor, no more than 3 cars here & everyone lives in Tin refugee hut style houses, but at the same time everybody are, by & large happy although they nearly all,(with the exception of my family luckily) drink too much Lao Chow & play too much hi low at any excuse, apart from that, fishing & hunting + foraging in the local mountains/jungle seem to keep boredom away for most.

A lot of the younger ones end up moving to Bangkok etc for work as there's none around here apart from keeping the small family farms going, which doesn't take much.

However pretty well all who come back from the South for holidays, parties etc. say that they would much rather live in the Village as it's a much happier place than Bangkok etc. but theres just no way of making money...

I feel honoured & lucky to be able to live here, & feel sorry for the young of the village who can't afford to.

But then I come from a small Village in the SW UK & couldn't afford to live there for exactly the same reasons as the young Thais here so I have some idea what they're going through the only difference being that at least it's warm & sunny in Bangkok unlike London, Apart from that both are equally S**tholes...

[jpmerlin]

I have noticed in my 2 years in retirement here that many in my village spend far too much of their time and money Gambling and Drinking away what little they have and are in debt to the point of no return.

I have Family Members Angry because as a "Rich American" I dont gift them my money. I refuse to be used as their ATM to help enable their poor decisions.

Seems everything is a scheme to Seperate the Farang and his money. It took being scammed by a building contractor,family members, etc.. for me to learn but i have learned the hard way. My money STAYS in the Bank!

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

There are many Great, Honest, and hard working people in Isaan but some really bad habits need to be Educated out of the culture IMO

same to me i buy a house in the village and 2years later i live in phuket on a rented house...but i am happy there whit my wife a way from this peoples they wanted me to pay for everything they need!

[transam]

I have noticed in my 2 years in retirement here that many in my village spend far too much of their time and money Gambling and Drinking away what little they have and are in debt to the point of no return.

I have Family Members Angry because as a "Rich American" I dont gift them my money. I refuse to be used as their ATM to help enable their poor decisions.

Seems everything is a scheme to Seperate the Farang and his money. It took being scammed by a building contractor,family members, etc.. for me to learn but i have learned the hard way. My money STAYS in the Bank!

What Isaan needs desperately is EDUCATION in household and farm finance and budget.

Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are also desperately needed.

There are many Great, Honest, and hard working people in Isaan but some really bad habits need to be Educated out of the culture IMO

Though I agree with your post I do not think education on doing things right/sensibly would/will work. From my experience over the years their way of life is all virtually the same, boozing, gambling and the art of borrowing money, and doing stuff ''their'' way.

We gave stuff to Mrs.Trans brother to make life better, he sold it to buy booze .

I know a guy that bought a tractor for the families farm, it's never used, hand tools do the job.

My sister in-law borrows money from all over to pay for other borrowed money and buy more lottery tickets, it's her daily routine. Her husband has just had a brain tumor removed and the hospital want 5000bht, we haven't heard the last of her moaning yet she will find cash to buy a wad of lottery tickets.

I believe folk do not like being told what to do, what ever the subject, is it the face thing, l don't know.

[willyumiii]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Exactly! It seems that happiness is now determined by how much money you have and how well educated you are. Is it really important to a person in Isan to know that Obamacare is destroying the middle class in America and with the Fed printing 70+ billion a month of American dollars that all the currencies in the the world will be devalued as long as the American dollar remains the international currency of trade? As long as they are growing rice and can sustain themselves they will be oblivious.

Why are you blabbering on about US politics, no one here gives a f

totster

I have to agree. Tim seems to be in need of a little Obamacare himself.. A little psychiatric treatment maybe? He claims to be schizophrenic!

And yes, Obama should consider using the Thai model for health care...30 baht per doctors visit isn't a bad deal at all!

Now, please, let's get back on the topic the OP started Tim!

[Water Buffalo]

So at first look it seems Mukdahan is the winner.. however per capita Amnat Charoen clinches it !

Personally I always believed it was Yasothon..

totster

Really? A majority of my family comes from Yasothon, and they seem like the happiest people alive !

I guess I'm fortunate to come from a good family and have the opportunity to grow up in Oz.

Being poor doesn't necessarily mean misery.

totster

I have often found the people who have the most are the least happy. And there has actually been experiment conducted by sociologists which confirm that.