RAZZELL

I thought they came in 3 sizes,

Small, medium, and Liar

Thank you. Your sure an asset to this forum...

cardholder, on 2012-05-26 18:35:33, said:

Sometimes it should be by invitation only, limited to three days maximum, and then you have to submit a 500 word essay on 'My Isaan Experience' with paragraphs, that will determine if you are fit enough to visit again.

That was rather disparaging, sorry, what the OP may not realise is that not only do some Isaan villages vary from others, but they are still very much agricultural based, and as such, the amount of activity can vary from one season to another.

If you visited my ex's family in March, you wouldn't see much going on apart from sitting around the house, chatting, eating, smiling and the odd one or two off their faces on Lao Khao by 11am. Because there is nothing else to do.

Come at this time of year, you will probably see them snoring in hammocks for most of the day, mainly because they started working at 1am in the morning. They work the rubber trees when it is dark as it is much cooler then, my FIL, BIL and MIL are some of they hardest working people I have met, and they work seven days a week for most of the year.

Can't blame 'em for taking a couple of months off when the opportunity presents itself.

Isaan folk shouldn't only be judged on what you see on a short visit, they should be judged on what you don't see.



//edit/none of that was aimed at my chunky friend/

Apparently the OP has drawn conclusions about Isan based on his visit to one village?  Something to consider is the difference from one village to the next, village vs city, and city vs city.

I just moved .. from a village to one of the largest cities in Isan. It is waaaaaaay different!

In my/our (in-law) clan, everyone works except my 80 year old MIL and my wife (and me, of course).  Only a few drink alcohol and then normally on occasions.  Everyone's house has air con in bed rooms. Only one divorce in the group (woman unable to bear children).

We have nurses, farmers, police, business folks, government workers, computer programmers, a uni professor and ... lazy me. And yep, they are all Isan folks .. except one Thai-Chinese husband by marriage .. and me, of course. Every nephew and niece I have met has been either frightened of me (the kids) or very cordial. Fortunately, the kids are starting to come out of hiding.

I would guess everyone's Isan is a bit different, don't you think?

Another newbie tourist who believes that every girl in Thailand is "easy" and only some of them demand money before hopping into bed on the first "date"!

Grow up son - as a tourist you have virtually no chance of meeting a "non-working" girl and getting her into bed (for free) before you have to fly back to your humdrum workaday life in the West.

Oh, and while you are here, have some respect for the local people, treating everyone as if they are playthings for your personal amusement will almost certainly cause you major problems!

Patrick

TommoPhysicist, on 2012-05-26 18:01:45, said:

not the Celts but the Saxons were the buddies of the Angles who moved to "the Island". both tribes were expelled from ancient Germany because of their disgusting food and drinking habits (Steak&Kidney Pie and Ale).

yoshiwara, on 2012-05-26 09:46:04, said:

but killing selectively a number of bankers might help

Got the email from VFS bangkok yesterday said the passport will be sent to me within 6 working days .. Finger cross .

Wow he got it on 3rd party support for finances and accommodation. They probably had enough of him. lol
Thai festival in Epsom Surrey June 24th.

Moi, moan, never!

Visa approved

TommoPhysicist, on 2012-05-24 08:33:29, said:

For the purpose of my statement, anyone who was resident there prior to the Blair government.

tinfoilhat, on 2012-05-24 10:46:26, said:

If you make them just a little bit shorter, you can get six out of an A4 sheet.

Most seem to apply for naturalisation. Under most circumstances it is irreversible, allows much easier travel abroad, is easy to do and the only downside is the expense. Thailand and the UK both allow dual nationality.

My wife will be applying in October!

I suspect many members lurk and keep an occasional eye on the forum. Some appear out of apparent nowhere from time to time to give advice and give a bit back to the forum for the help and advice they have received in the past!

My folks are paying me a visit this month and I have just realised that most of the bars that I hang out in might give the old pair a heart attack or have my Mum going back to Ireland on her own while while the Dad samples some Isaan delights!! My local is in Queens Park Plaza on Soi 22, I remember the first time I went there and  though "sweet Jesus", now the bar girl scene is totally a normal part of my life, seeing a 82 yr old on his last legs with a 18 year old beauty queen is as normal as seeing miserable faces on the tube in my previous life.

My folks are in their mid 60's, young at heart and I'm racking my brains on where to bring them. I'm thinking Vertigo, the snake farm, Cabbage & Condoms, the usual temples, Jim Thompsons place etc.. I'd really appreciate if anyone has any suggestion especially for night time. Normally when friends come over, it's a no brainer with Patpong, Cowboy etc but I don't want my folks flying out shaking their heads in shame...

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated..