What Do Farang Do To Occupy Their Time In Isaan?

[MartinBKK]

Hi!!

I have been living in Bangkok for a year now and i have always wondered what farang do with themselves that live outside of the city?

Don't you find you have a lot of spare time on your hands?

Don't you get a little restless?

Why did you choose to live in Isaan?

Im very curious to the know the answers.....

[toptuan]

First, find your passion and follow it. If the geography matches (a secondary consideration), it's a plus. Isaan fits perfectly with my passion.

I'm a university instructor, and "boredom" is not in my vocabulary. For example, I work from early morning to past midnight almost every day and love it. I've authored a half-dozen books since coming to Isaan, and socialize often with teachers and students. On a rare free day, I love throwing my camera, diary and lunch into a backpack and scooting around the rural villages on my little motorbike. There, I meet wonderful people, watch their handicrafts, add to my on-line photo album, also adding Isaan-related stories to my blog that's visited by several hundred readers a day, and try to keep up with the accompanying on-line correspondance. During the hottest part of the year (April-May) I travel throughout Asia, from which Isaan is a great central hub for me (for travel by train/bus/air). Lastly, I am a minority partner in an export business where I mostly act as a consultant in my spare time.

Oh yeah, then there's Thaivisa.com to fill in all the little nooks and crannies of time that pop up now and then!

Once in a while, I need to go to Bangkok so I can rest.

Hope this enlightens you, that not all Isaan farangs are sitting in a muddy rice paddy, contemplating their navels (or nightly bellying up to the "Khao mak" bar and sleeping off the hangover until next day's noontime). Although I've given both a try at least once!

Edited June 18, 2006 by toptuan

[Jeff1]

Only need to scroll down a bit to get answers to your question that is asked at least once a month .

[djc45]

It all depends on your life style, have you ever been to Isaan?

I live near Khon Kaen and Udon Thani and I don’t have the time to get bored.

Ok there is not the bars like you have in bkk or the beach like Pattaya but loads of the big shops are in kk and udon

Plenty of nice people in the villages, nice places to see and nothing like the hustle and bustle you have in bkk

In Kranuan there is the Castle howchow resort with a massive pool and restaurant and a live band on every night and he has 3 pool tables

Farang bars in kk and udon

Just a 1 hour flight from bkk to kk or udon

Pay it a visit and see what its like but don’t expect Pattaya out here

Ps there is also running water, electricity and petrol stations and even post offices

[Guest endure]

First, find your passion and follow it. If the geography matches (a secondary consideration), it's a plus. Isaan fits perfectly with my passion.

I'm a university instructor, and "boredom" is not in my vocabulary. For example, I work from early morning to past midnight almost every day and love it. I've authored a half-dozen books since coming to Isaan,

What are your books about, TT?

[Ken]

......... "boredom" is not in my vocabulary.

Yep. How true a statement this is. It really seems that I'm so busy, "doing nothing", that I don't have time to be "bored". Interestingly enough, I am right now visiting some friends in Bangsaen (motorcycled down from Korat yesterday morning). Part of my discussion over some Chang beers last night was this very subject. I even talked about how i was thinking about going back to work, not for the money, but just for a break. In other words sometimes I'm so busy now that I think I need a vacation from my "vacation". And as Jeff said above, maybe try a search on this forum. This question has been asked and answered extensively.

Edited June 18, 2006 by Ken

[bmore99]

In Kranuan there is the Castle howchow resort with a massive pool ...

Check out the satellite view on Google Earth 16d42’24.16”N 103d04’18.46”E

[toptuan]

First, find your passion and follow it. If the geography matches (a secondary consideration), it's a plus. Isaan fits perfectly with my passion.

I'm a university instructor, and "boredom" is not in my vocabulary. For example, I work from early morning to past midnight almost every day and love it. I've authored a half-dozen books since coming to Isaan,

What are your books about, TT?

PM'd you. You know, we celebrities must keep our privacy!

[Korat Correct]

MartinBKK

What a strange question?

Particularly as you are very "curious"

Have you thought of getting off your proverbial and looking for yourself.

There are Londoners who have never been north of Watford and the poorer for it.

You ask the question of Issan residents but presumably the same applies to other areas of LOS.

Issan is a living, thriving and different part of Thailand that has a unique history.

For 198 bht you get the bus to Korat from Mo Chit Bus Station and then start to explore.

I've never heard of a BKK farang being eaten or skinned alive here but Martin there are some wild,funny ha.ha. and funny queer people here.

So when you come, do keep your wits about you.

[steven w]

another very unhelpful answer

[Korat Correct]

Steven W

Which was the other unhelpful answer, I gave?

And what is unhelpful about suggesting someone gets on a bus?

Norman Tebbitt told Britain "to get on their bikes".

At least I did make a suggestion which is more than you did.

[cooL_guY_corY]

toptuan, would be interested to see your blog/photoalbum. not sure if you meant you have your own site or setup thru tv kinda thing ?

[lingyai]

First, find your passion and follow it. If the geography matches (a secondary consideration), it's a plus. Isaan fits perfectly with my passion.

On a rare free day, I love throwing my camera, diary and lunch into a backpack and scooting around the rural villages on my little motorbike. There, I meet wonderful people, watch their handicrafts, add to my on-line photo album, also adding Isaan-related stories to my blog that's visited by several hundred readers a day, and try to keep up with the accompanying on-line correspondance. During the hottest part of the year (April-May) I travel throughout Asia, from which Isaan is a great central hub for me (for travel by train/bus/ai

Whats your blog? I would like to read it and see your pictures.

[MartinBKK]

Hello again.

Many thanks to those of you who provided constructive replies in response to what i thought was an interesting question.

If it is indeed asked once a month then it can't just be me who was interested to know the answers.

I would have to disagree that this has been comprehensively covered before. Having searched the forum i see there have been a few related threads but there is definitely room for further discussion.

I have never been to Isaan before but i have met a lot of ladies from there - he he he.

Look forward to visiting in the near future. Any recommendations of particular things to visit? I might prefer to take a plane though i don't fancy riding so far on a bus!!!!

Cheers.

Edited June 20, 2006 by MartinBKK

[djc45]

Hello again.

Many thanks to those of you who provided constructive replies in response to what i thought was an interesting question.

If it is indeed asked once a month then it can't just be me who was interested to know the answers.

I would have to disagree that this has been comprehensively covered before. Having searched the forum i see there have been a few related threads but there is definitely room for further discussion.

I have never been to Isaan before but i have met a lot of ladies from there - he he he.

Look forward to visiting in the near future. Any recommendations of particular things to visit? I might prefer to take a plane though i don't fancy riding so far on a bus!!!!

Cheers.

So what are your interests?

There is more to Isaan than just the ladies you have met.

It’s a vast place offering many places to visit and the post suggesting you take the bus is not a bad idea as you will see more from a bus than the plane or you could take the train

[djc45]

another very unhelpful answer

I think Steven W you would be better keeping silent rather than saying others have posted unhelpful answers when they have took the time to post the cost of the bus fare

[Korat Correct]

MartinBKK

Hard Luck but scheduled flights to Korat have been terminated.

Its just as quick by bus (3hrs)( and recommended) unless you have a car.

Flights to Khon Kaen and Ubon stiil go.

[MartinBKK]

Which particular areas would you recommend for a first time visitor?

Is Ubon the first place you would go?

[Mossfinn]

Hi TT,

Looks like you have created some interest in your blog/pictures and books,

Could you direct me too, to the relevant sites or PM me if discretion allows.

Kind regards

Moss

[toptuan]

Post in error/withdrawn

Edited June 24, 2006 by toptuan

[guyshown]

like several others i'm too interested in your blog and books... please guide me to the right url or book store!

Oh by the way keep ISSAN a secret we don't want to many people to crowd our peace LOL LOL

Edited June 25, 2006 by guyshown

[toptuan]

By the way, here's what else we lazy louts do up here in Isaan:

Check out the thread A Nice Change of Pace...

Edited June 25, 2006 by toptuan

[svenivan]

Which particular areas would you recommend for a first time visitor?

Is Ubon the first place you would go?

I have been around in Isaan many times and I found that Udon Thani was a very nice place. It is easy to get in contact with people, both Thai and farangs, there are many nice places around and they have some good golfcourses in the area.

I have also heard tha Nong Khai shall be a good place but I have only passed it myself on my way to Vientianne.

One time my plan was to go to Vientianne (from Chiang Rai) and back in car and I thought that 5 days would be enough. I was away 15 days because I met so many nice people both in Udon and in Vientianne.

If you have a car I would recommend you to take that. Then you are free to go whereever.

Have a good trip !

[Gary A]

I'm too lazy to get bored. I have a garage/shop with all the wood working and metal working tools I need to do almost anything I would want to do. At first it was great to be able to work in the shop because I had not been able to do that living in my Jomtien condo. After a while working in the shop got old and I now spend a lot of time in front of the computer and reading. I DO have things that need done but I can't seem to work up enough ambition to do anything. I probably have a hundred DVD movies that I have not seen. I spend VERY little time watching TV or movies. Several times a week I go up to the mountain and drink beer with a couple of friends but other than that I have no social life and don't want any. I enjoy my privacy and the peace and quiet of village life.