Seized from Isan life (part 3)
What is such an expat doing there in Isaan? No compatriots around, not even European cultures. No cafes, no western restaurants. No entertainment. Well, The Inquisitor chose this life and is not bored at all. Daily, taken from life for a week. In Isan.
Wednesday
The Inquisitor wakes up very early. Only five o'clock, boy. A too lazy life may be the cause, body and mind are rested. For a moment the desire to even wake up the girlfriend overtakes him, but her peaceful expression dissuades him.
He quietly starts his morning ritual. Shower while the coffee starts to simmer. That first cup of the day is the best, and meanwhile read newspapers on the internet. Usually this is cause for mild amusement or sometimes for serious annoyance. Time and again De Inquisitor sees that his decision of 12 years ago to cash in everything and move to Thailand has been confirmed. Although he has mellowed over the years. Because the media is too keen on confrontation, they want to attract attention, even shock. And it depends on what tendencies those media are – that influences their reporting and they immediately add a judgment and so forming your own opinion becomes rather difficult.
An hour later the shop opens and due to waking up early, De Inquisitor decides to show his love by serving.
Yes, actually prohibited, those immigration restrictions and everything, but no rooster crowing about that here in Isaan. On the contrary, they can eat what they consider to be a noisy farang now that their shyness and distrust are gone. The cheerful 'good morning', the oh so strange 'thank you very much, see you again', makes them laugh. By the way, ninety percent have no idea of the meaning, they rely on body language. And the kids appreciate the free candy. And the farmer is happy with the excessive amount of ice that De Inquisitor gives for 10 baht.
In this way it quickly becomes nine o'clock, and when everyone is working somewhere in the fields, the woman makes a delicious meal while The Inquisitor stays lazily in the shop. Play games on the mobile. Without scruples. He continues even after dinner, today he doesn't feel like getting active. Just being a little lazy. Taking care of the dogs, those eternal ticks. The cats groom their fur, allowing them to explore the shop while the owner keeps the dogs out. You don't get tired of it.
In the afternoon, De Inquisitor decides to wash the motorcycle after all. Despite the fact that they have shops here that do that more thoroughly for forty baht. Immediately take care of the bike, everything nice in the shade of a shelter. Then test the bike and take a trip through the village and surroundings. That is good for the public relations of the shop, good for the integration of the farang. But the integration will get out of hand.
Somewhere on the edge of the village is a large farm where they keep pigs. The owners, husband and wife with three daughters, are nice, hard-working people with a slightly more worldly outlook than most of the villagers. They also employ about six people. But all in a slow, Isan way, of course. And because a farang arrives, they come out of the closet. The Inquisitor must, like it or not, sit down at the table. He is served the strangest snacks, some edible, some not - to the great joy of everyone because the employees have also joined. Moreover, these people are quite prosperous for Isan rural people. And they send one of the employees to our shop to buy beer, the farang, they know, does not drink lao kao. Immediately the female knows where the hubby is and what he is doing.
And that's drinking. And cocks. In a mix of Thai/English/Isaan we get along nicely, especially after a few bottles of Chang. You just don't get the chance to finish your glass, they refill it all the time. Well, The Inquisitor can appreciate that because it is very hot today and he is sitting comfortably in the shade of a tree, on a wooden bench that can swing. And the company is nice, especially when two daughters come and sit rather close to the farang and at his advice Shameless grooming with wet wipes, replenishing beer, massaging shoulders and back. They are girls of about twenty years old, so they can work in Pattaya or related places if they wear something adapted to them.
But The Inquisitor knows it's harmless, they're just hospitable, they take care of their visitors. It's a nice escape from the one-sided regularity of their lives….
The beer continues to flow until De Inquisitor notices that the sun is already getting low. Boy, what is Mrs. going to say. Waddling, he gets on the shaky bike to the delight of the others. The three kilometers home have become at least five because of not always driving straight ahead … .
And at home, no problem, fantastic. No whining, no anger. No, the wife also makes herself happy in the state of The Inquisitor, so much so that she opens two more bottles. Because she also wants to drink a beer herself... .
Somehow The Inquisitor managed to open the freezer, take something edible and put it in the microwave oven.
And to consume. Afterwards, supported by a beautiful lady, take another shower and then fall asleep like a log.
To be continued
It does indeed happen that one can become a stove at someone else's expense. But usually that is another farang. If I am invited there somewhere, people usually expect beer to be bought at my expense. Then another kid on his motorcycle takes 400 baht from me to the local store. Later again. Oh well I guess what is 400 baht? A lot of money in the Isaan. 1 time someone suggested that I pay for the drink and he would then slaughter a copy of the fowl in his yard. At least it seems 50/50.
The reverse also occurs. Thais with money insist on paying for everything. I once spent 2 days with a group of Thais. 1 of those Thais paid everything. When I suggested that I also contribute, this was rejected. It also seems to have something to do with status.
Sometimes they loudly demand that I buy them a drink. Rice planters on a field, for example. I understood what they said to each other. Farang comes with a very large car. Has a lot of money. That car is not mine, I told you truthfully. Didn't help anything. kept whining. Nice people though!
The village chief also once demanded that I buy Lao Khao for him. I come back with a plastic bag. He didn't want that. All right, back to the store: Give me a bottle. Shopkeeper: But he's already had two. He's dying! Me: what do I care! Give a bottle! He's still alive.
Never seen a Thai treat and pay for the whole place. I'm always screwed (even if I didn't even order myself) to pay the bill. In the village, family and neighbors think I'm a great guy. So be it.
Fantastic.
hello, that's a nice short piece of text from life
keep going i love reading these kind of life stories
greetings from Belgium
So relax after a Western competitive productive competitive life phase full of haste and agitation. A new phase of life in a completely different mode. Truly detach and relax, not for a while in some contrived session.
Not everyone will be able to handle it. We, my Thai wife and I, have not yet decided whether we should want this, whether this could be something for us. It seems enticing and also dangerous, not only for myself, but also for our relationship.
Time brings advice. The writings of De Inquisitor and the reactions to them also help a bit 🙂
Living in a reasonably large place in Isan then you have something of both. On the one hand close to the countryside, on the other hand all the advantages of a big city. I myself live in the city of Korat, but in the suburbs. Around the house farmlands, fields and lots of greenery. Also close to all amenities, markets, restaurants, sports facilities, Zoo, shops and more a few kilometers away.
Inquisitor
Well written, can't wait for the sequel
I recognize the story, also occurs with us.
Not all Thais just want to profit.
Pleasant fun to read, this is life as it is.
Not that I asked about it, but I had fun evenings at the expense of friendly Thai, without further explanation or consequences.
Indeed no translation needed after the necessary pints, the body language tells a lot.
My girlfriend is now used to me calling out to the people in my native language. In the beginning they still don't understand you, you make them insecure, but in the meantime their reactions to that weird farang have also become fun. The main thing is that you can laugh at the situations.
I just read all 3rd pieces and I can't wait to emigrate to the Isaan. Me and my Thai wife already have a house on stilts in Ban Wang Tong, a hamlet between Roi-et and Selaphum with about 50 houses (maybe less).
The river “Shi” flows near our house and I can assume that I go fishing there every day for a few hours in the morning.
I don't think I'll be bored there for a second. For the time being I want to build a nice house there on the spot where the stilt house is now, because I don't see myself going up and down those stairs for another 30 years (?).
We also have a piece of land of one and a half hectares, which is completely overgrown. It will take quite a bit of time to put everything back in order, but it wouldn't be the Isaan that I can do it for a long time. I am a maintenance technician in my daily life, so I can say that I am quite handy in electro and mechanics. I think they will appreciate that in my village. But everything in its time heh…. take it easy is my motto.
Best.
Those stilt houses are there for a reason, the river "ShI" can sometimes overflow.
Then your new house will be flooded, just like mine in Bangkok (2011).
I can assure you that is no fun. So build a taller house.
Greetings Gerrit
Moderator: illegible due to incorrect use of punctuation marks.
It's nice if you have internet at home with all the trimmings (news, TV, Facebook, mail, Thailandblog, etc…). Suppose you don't have that... then life becomes a lot more monotonous...
No, farang without a work permit are not allowed to work. But what is meant by work? I don't think you should work to earn money.
But what does The Inquisitor do? He helps his wife (sometimes) in the shop. Is it forbidden to help your own wife? I think there is absolutely no problem with that. I would too. After all, he himself does not earn any 'extra' money with it. And as De Inquisitor himself puts it: everyone is happy about it, everyone enjoys it. Sanuk right? 😀
If you have plenty of time, you apparently automatically do the useful things for which you 'don't have time' here... I like to read that De Inquisitor occasionally takes the initiative to do 'something useful' .
But drink as long as the glass is not empty? Hhhmmm… I wouldn't do that anyway. Personally, I myself drink very exceptionally. I can't even remember the last time. And no, I've never been drunk! In the village where my parents-in-law live, I was invited several times during my walks to drink a beer together. I am somewhat suspicious of that and have always kindly thanked for it. Mai duum (na) khrap, Khoop khun (make) khrap. Indeed, there are villagers there with a dubious reputation for being often drunk. Recently (again) someone (prematurely) died there due to excessive drinking. Fortunately, it only concerns 'a few' individuals.
I don't know what my wife would think if I accepted the invitation to (continue to) drink. After all, she knows me as someone who (almost) never drinks or smokes. Because that's the type of man she absolutely wanted.
Sanuk daai, teih tong rawang thang weela na khrap!
(fun is allowed, but always be careful 😉 )
Enjoy it!
Daniel,
Very wise of you to keep as much distance from alcoholic beverages as possible.
Sorry for your comment:
“Recently (again) someone (prematurely) died there due to excessive drinking. Fortunately, it only concerns 'a few' individuals”.
The person who died is through their own fault. Unfortunately, you also forget to mention that a drunken Thai in traffic is a potential killer. It poses a danger to fellow road users.
And what do you say to the many liver patients in state hospitals?
So it's not just about a few individuals.
But still respect for you for not tempting yourself to drink (mis) (use).
Daniel M wrote:
I don't know what my wife would think if I accepted the invitation to (continue to) drink. After all, she knows me as someone who (almost) never drinks or smokes. Because that's the type of man she absolutely wanted.
You will only have a wife.
Enjoy writing “The Inquisitor”..Beautiful to read..
Dear Pieter,
"You will only have a wife"??
To be clear, that decision rests with me, not my wife. I respect that very much because we are both like that. That question I asked was just a reflection of my own and nothing can be deduced from it. And suppose I accept such an invitation, then I will tell her, just like The Inquisitor does. My wife will most likely not make a big deal of it. Actually, I think the arguments of De Inquisitor and carpenter (participating in social life) are very good. But in the way that Timker tells in his response.
My wife is a treasure of a wife. She has always devoted herself to her family. She has also never had a relationship of any kind before. She really waited until she met the right one. That deserves respect, doesn't it?
To Chander: thank you for your compliment 🙂
It is absolutely not my intention to chat about this. I just wanted to get this out. So I'll keep it at this.
Dear Daniel M,
For a long time I was of the same opinion about doing work, but it doesn't work in Thailand like it does in the Netherlands or Belgium. A friend of mine who helped his wife by carrying some towels from a massage parlor to his truck. These towels would be washed at his home. The police came by that evening and just wanted to check a bar, which is located near the massage parlor, for the necessary tea money. My friend was approached en passant and told that this is not the intention. In the event of a subsequent encounter in this way, his stay would be revoked and he could go to the Netherlands. He was not allowed to work and in this case not to do odd jobs. Whether this is correct and to run a risk with this I wouldn't take the chance.
Quote: "I don't think you should work to earn money yourself."
Dear Daniel M, apparently you interpret Thai law as you see fit. But you're completely off. That is why the Inquisitor writes plainly:
“Yes, actually prohibited, those immigration restrictions and everything, but no rooster crowing about that here in Isaan. On the contrary, they can eat what they consider to be a noisy farang now that their shyness and distrust are gone.” He knows very well what risks he takes with these actions and knows all too well: as long as the rooster crows here in the Isan…..
Even voluntary work is prohibited for a Farang without a work permit. Whether work is paid or unpaid is irrelevant, work is work and has nothing to do with any remuneration. This is Thailand and it is best not to interpret the law at your own discretion but according to the letter of the law.
Can't wait for Thursday...
Of course this “Wednesday” is very recognizable again !!!
And “Daniel M” is also not a drinker (and not a smoker) but I do not turn down the invitation to “drink” because it just means pure fun and you determine your own (not) drinking pace. I often take a very long time with 1 glass (hopefully Chang beer). Enjoy, laugh, eat, drink and taste the Isaan in all its aspects and life is very very good. Everyone gives their own interpretation to their "quiet" life, but it is a shame for me to fill it with many farang contacts.
Without falling into chatting, a misunderstanding really needs to be cleared up. Just as the inhabitants of the Isaan are viewed with pity by a large number of Thais, the farangs who have settled here now appear to suffer the same fate.
The self-righteousness and stupid statements that the above reaction reflect prove that.
To be clear, I have not been lured in, isolated or drained financially!
Probably the frustration of some people is very high!
Their world of experience may only be in the glitz of bars and other worldly pleasures. I wholeheartedly recommend them!!!
In fact, I am sure that no one has ever been isolated, lured or financially drained there. 🙂
All joking aside: luckily everyone can make their choice!
Shall we accept, respect and consider each other's choice as equal?!
Using this blog to exchange experiences with each other seems a better idea than not giving each other the sunlight or calling each other off as naps.
Isn't this performance more realistic than the cynical sourness I was allowed to read in the above response?
For everyone, wherever in Thailand, the Netherlands or Belgium, I wish good times and a lot of fun in the next episode of the inquisitor from the Isaan.
Jan
“You set your own (not) drinking pace.” This sounds like wishful drinking to me. Because the point of alcohol is precisely that you lose that control, and it is then due to the (coincidental) circumstances that it does not end badly. The Thais won't help you with that, given the refilling when the glass is about to get empty. They have a lot of fun when you fall off your bike, and oh well, get hit by a car, but maybe I'm suggesting the Thai as a bit too laconic? But I don't like to say no, so this is a trap for me, into which I have often fallen, albeit without incident, but for that reason I sometimes avoid being invited. I like to get carried away, but then in fun, preferably without alcohol.
Have friends who live around pattaya and have friends who live in isaan and yes some of my pattaya
Friends don't really understand how I can stand it there in the isaan, but the main thing is that we respect each other's living environment, which takes place in the same country but is a world of difference.
To be happy is to feel good, whether in the countryside or in a busy city, it really doesn't matter.
I myself feel at home in the countryside between the rice fields and this after a life in Belgium on the busy Belgian coast, but ... this is also my opinion and experience.
Greetings from Meuang Pai
Every bird sings as it is beaked. The reactions are diverse and often come with emotions. A lot of people have old pains and that certainly leads to appealing lyrics. But as mentioned before try to see it in the right perspective. We don't all go through the same thing. There are people who are very self-contained and are satisfied with a quiet life. Then the countryside of the Isaan can be a godsend. This is especially recommended if you are elderly. Sometimes also temporary who knows. There are also those who are going to interpret aging differently by adding many young women to their conquest list along with a large list of beer. It could just have happened to you, it must be the underlying thought and it often doesn't get much further with thinking. This morning I saw a falang monk of about 55 years old walking barefoot from the doors for food with the daily ritual. It won't be my life but it will be for him, well he has my blessing. All I'm saying is that difference will always be there and that's a good thing to a certain extent.
Besta Bram, I also let myself be “led along” to the Isaan. And have a good time with me! And I absolutely do not suggest otherwise. You talk about “most expats”. You, as spokesperson for this group, have a great responsibility! Perhaps you also use that responsibility to tell “most expats” after reading many positive experiences at Isaners that the pity that “most expats” think is incorrect. Cool if you will.
Hello dear Bram You don't have to feel sorry at all, we have that rather with most Farangs in Pattaya and surroundings, usually over 65s who walk around like a peacock when they are called after with: hello handsome man, can't look inside others but am Married for 20 years myself and after living in the Netherlands I went to Thailand with my wife, I am happy here as many enjoy the peace and the friendly people, oh yes and I was certainly not lured.