Thailand village life, what to expect and could you handle it?

[@Ian4444four]

Bad food, uncomfortable surroundings, boredom, language barrier, looked at as a novelty, no decent shops, awoken at dawn, eaten alive by insects, constant power cuts, poor internet and being the new ATM - what's not to love about rural Thailand?! 😜

[@indianterry8176]

😂😂😂

[@Buzzinpattaya]

hahahahaha brilliant

[@stuckinthepattayabubble9319]

Amen to that lol 😂

[@grayray44]

@@kenrfc my first squat toilet,had the castro bad,jeans around my knees then arse over tit shat flying everywere just as the bumgun was handy,half a hour washing done,then home to the pub soaking wet,what a laugh,all the family pissing them self laughing,the old granny wanting to wash me down LOL 555

[@rahmann4280]

Train for Survivor show 200 😂

[@johnbennett9618]

My interesting story; met a thai girl through a friend, country village small store girl. Talked for months before I took a chance to meet her, never been to Thailand before and jumped straight in, flew in, took the train, met her at the station and its been amazing ever since. Met all the family, all the kids, and a lot of her friends, the village life was just as I hoped it would be, up at dawn, bed at dark, bugs, noise, thai food, just jumped in and helped where I could, tore about the village on the motorbike, google translate was handy. Its been almost a year now, about to go back for the 3rd time to her family, I am nearly 50, she is 40 with a 3 year old. Always laughing, always fun, I love it, the heat is a struggle I admit and I pay for a lot of stuff, but not all, its my treat usually. Its some of the best fun ive ever had with her, its not always fantastic, but its always eye opening and a good experience. I look forward to more of it. :)

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Wow thanks for sharing

[@James-be7cz]

Well said

[@operator6855]

Just got back from a month in Thailand. Spent three weeks with a girl I've known for 14 years. She lives about an hour's drive south of Buriram in a small village. Thankfully she lives in a 4 bedroom western-style house. I even had an ensuite bathroom attached to my bedroom. I even ended up running English lessons for some of the ladies in the village in the evenings and that was great fun and we all had a great laugh. There were times of boredom but not too many. I would be relaxing then this voice would boom out David David. It turns out my Thai friend has a list of jobs she wants doing. She has a 7 years old daughter who ran me ragged playing hide and seek with her friends and always wanted me to play with her in one of those blowup swimming pools. I'm glad to be home to get a rest. One of those things you would only hear in Thailand. One morning woke up feeling fine. A couple hours later got a bad case of gut-rot. I rather melodramatically said to her I think I'm dying. Her response was "You not die in my house. Find a hotel room and die there" Charming.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

great experience mate thanks for sharing

[@Sagan_Starborn]

"You not die in my house. Find a hotel room and die there" That, right there, is the sense of humour I love so much with my lass.

[@dr.wanpharmd2389]

Going to her village home in the rural area presents a serious measuring stick of how much you truly love her.

[@NissanR33Ztune]

It’s an experience more then anything else and if you need to reset your mind and thoughts away from work and stress it’s just nice to be away from it all...

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Love my wife to bits

[@mmark8394]

Travel is supposed to broaden your mind, so now your here do it . What have you got to lose? See silk farms, elephants working, dugout canoes, go to festivals and don't forget to smile, sticky rice anyone? Mark 70y out in Aug, see ya

[@senianns9522]

Hopefully: 'She's proud of you when she takes you home! She wants to show you off'! Reality: 'Heh, look here ! I've hooked another one'! --LOL!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

lol

[@mikethompson3534]

Exactly

[@Muttey2024]

😂 100%

[@duncanboard9452]

Really enjoy these types of topics Trev. Live chat and walkabout good but these are what sets you apart imo. Cheers mate

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you very much

[@smrriles5668]

Village life is great as long as you set parameters, built my own house 16years ago in kk and still love it there, family get some money but only as much as I want to give.the best way to enjoy the village is to jump in with both feet,if you sit and watch you will never enjoy it,try everything once and if you don't like it just say no the second time you won't upset anyone.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Wow thanks for sharing your experience

[@alancolazzi4975]

Thanks for all your great vids sir!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

My pleasure!

[@m9mike9]

Went up in the daytime but when it got dark and we were all in the truck together it dawned on me how anything could happen and I have no idea where we are. Loads and loads of flying insects the first couple of nights which was bloody horrible but luckily it was just a coincidence and it's not normally like that. Had to go to an outhouse to the toilet with a torch which was scary and there were spiders and noises on the corrugated iron roof while you were in there which freaked me out and I finished up and legged it back to the house asap! Advice-wise, we started staying at a local resort with aircon, a proper toilet and shower which was only a 20 minute drive to the village so we did that and just stayed all day at the village and went back at night which was better. That was 15 years ago, mind. We have since built a modern house on the site in the village and we have a decent bathroom and air con etc on site now which is much better for my elderly mother in law and makes village visits more comfortable for me and the Mrs. now as well.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

wow

[@frankruschell4538]

Good show my friend. Enjoyed the contents of this episode. Good to get a idea of real Thai culture.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you

[@mikethompson3534]

You meant Thai vulture

[@frankruschell4538]

@@mikethompson3534 Understood Mike, but that vulture you speak of exists all around the globe. Let's all be wise and don't let the little head control the big head. Be safe brother.👍

[@cyberspooky]

Great lighting and sound today Trev , the studio is coming along well 👍

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks mate

[@stevegand]

Been living in “the village” since March 2020 and while not without its challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for living in a condo in Bangkok. It’s not for everybody but you do really get to see and experience a side of Thailand that I call “a more realistic Thailand”. People are people everywhere in the world and Thailand is no different. You get to see firsthand all the pettiness, jealousy, etc., of your neighbors, people trying to keep a “big face” spending money they don’t have and getting in trouble with loans, etc, etc. My Thai wife and I joke, it’s also the land of “fake smiles”. I love the village and if I need Western entertainment or “stuff”, I’ll make a trip as needed to “the Big City”. Good video. 👍

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate fair play and great comment, thanks for sharing your experience

[@alancolazzi4975]

you rock Trevor!!!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

thanks mate

[@robertdawson4502]

The very first time I went into a Thai village was in 1991. I met a girl and her, her sister, and myself went to a village in the Uthai Thani area. I could not tell you the name of the village but it was a farming community. I had read many books so most of what I saw didn't surprise me. I also did not sleep on the floor but in a bed. It was not a comfortable bed, but it was a bed. I went out to the rice field with her father just to hang out with him, but it was not the rice-growing season. The shower was a cement tub with a bowl and you had to dump cold water over your head to shower. The toilet was flat on the ground Thai style and had to use water from the cement tub to flush it. The next time was 6 months later. I met a Thai lady and we got married. I was working to get her a Visa to enter America and had to go to her village to get paperwork showing that we had no clue where her daughter's father was for the embassy. This place was in the Surin providence and the village was called Tha Tum. It was about a 6-8 hour journey from Bangkok. This time we had to sleep on mattresses that were on the floor with bug netting. They had an outhouse for bathing and other businesses you might need an outhouse for. The house itself had a tin roof so it got quite hot during the day and we sat under the house on a deck. Cooking was done on a small wood-burning grill. We did cook a duck and goose by way of oil cans. They first butchered the ducks and goose we plucked the feathers and gutted them. They stuck some small tree branches into the ground and put the duck on one and the goose on the other. Put the oil cans over the top of both, piled hay on top of the cans, and lit the hay on fire. Once the fire went out they were cooked. No one other than my wife and one of her uncles could speak English. They had one small TV and that was all the electronics they had. Very few phones and no computers to be found in the village. But with all that was lacking, they all seemed very happy and content.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

wow thanks for sharing

[@rogerjohnson2821]

I live in isaan and boredom and language is really challenging. I tend to ride my push bike every day, mow me grass, walk the dogs watch Netflix. Then shoot off to the city a couple of times a week to have a few beers in an English bar. I see a variety of other farangs. It’s bearable if you keep relatively busy. But I still need to drive down to Pattaya every 6-8 weeks to have a few days in civilization. It is lovely living on a farm (I built a bungalow there) but everything in Trev’s video is totally accurate so you need to be prepared!!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Yeah as you do mate gotta stay active

[@garethgoodwin913]

Second part they smiled and it was great experience i enjoyed back then with mum dad sadly my mum past away 6 years ago from cancer in the area they have babys her mum had and her mum had struggled 5 years ago my mum loved the jungle and the elephants mum washed the elephants she enjoyed it

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Sorry for your loss mate

[@lucee2261]

Been living up Jungle for the last two & half years & i agree with everything you said. Apart from when visiting the nearest Lotus's; I've not seen another farang for months. Been to a few local rocket festivals lately & I've still not seen a single farang. Things have been looking up recently, since they've relaxed restrictions & it is improving by the day. It's not for everyone, but if you have your own house & transport; it's a great, easygoing lifestyle &, geographically, great for exploring the rest of Thailand.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you

[@michaelbinney9913]

Do some uncut vids of your village love watching and learning about the rural experiences

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Great idea mate cheers

[@ericlambert9899]

Love watching your videos as well as the great comments

[@Buzzinpattaya]

I appreciate that!

[@cargo122]

I went to Nan north Thailand loved every minute of it could not believe how welcome they made me feel in the village this was 10 years ago I’m still happily married to my beautiful Thai wife we have a house in the village it is great to get up there at least once a year I now live in Pattaya the dark side Siam Siam just like to thank you and your channel I’m here in my home country but for the last view years if been going through cancer but I’m on the mend now and heading back in August

[@cargo122]

So a big thank you 🙏🏻 🙏🏻for all your work and entertainment

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Fantastic mate

[@keef6586]

Best wishes Pal, and good luck in your recovery

[@QCfarang]

Thanks Trev, so much valuable info and will watch this video again with my misses since we're planning to go visit her family in August, in the Province of Udon Thani and specifically the district of Ban Phue... It will be an adventure guaranteed.... 55555

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Have fun mate, and good luck! ;)

[@hanoi756]

Really enjoyed reading all the comments.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Me too

[@CriticalThink]

Been to the village quite a number of times, always stayed in a hotel which is about 40 mins away. Everything exactly as described in this video. Recently we helped upgrade the house so that there is a sit down toilet and hot water now, but I think I will still choose the hotel.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you for sharing your experience

[@AndersJensenTH]

Sit on the floor, sleep on the floor, eat dinner on the floor, it's normal and they love it! Out of pure shock some farang will buy furniture, beds and hot water showers for the whole family because they "feel sorry" for them, just be prepared to understand that they might never use it. Wherever you go you will end up places where people are born, live their whole life, and are cremated at the local temple, and they have no knowledge of where you are from, and why should they care? These are their homes where love and kindness has its roots, be honored and share the happiness and joys of life.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Haha so true

[@grahammurray7426]

i lived in kon kaen province a small town called nam pong was teaching there for about a year its about in the middle between khon kaen and udin thani i was the only farang i loved it learned the language and more importantly thai pyschy ( the way they think ).made some proper life time thai mates. the funniest thing i remember was after about 2 weeks o f being there i asked a guy " how come all the females are school kids or old women ?. he looked at me then grinned and said one word. " Pattaya ".

[@shortmemory]

笑笑笑555

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks for sharing

[@dawgbrooks5706]

Thanks Trev, there is so much more to Thailand than Pattaya and the bars. You cannot truly love Thailand unless you experience the WHOLE culture.

[@martinpowell5769]

Absolutely, a number of years ago I spent 4 days in a small village in rural Buriram. Glad I did it but couldn’t live that way for too long, gets very boring and sometimes you have to eat things you would never ever entertain just to be respectful. Ie. intestines and certain other offal 😟

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Well said

[@jasonsharp8621]

Loved the video. Spent some time with a work colleague at his house in Hat Yai.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you

[@thaireetired75]

Few yrs ago I came to my wife's village in na klang District Eye opener for sure was on the ale a lot because it was holiday. Now I'm retired here currently adjusting to it all completely different experience straight to reality.its a big adjustment for sure I'm being broken in let's say lol but absolutely have no regrets,I'm loving the lifestyle,done both village and city life in UK.. I came here for easy easy laid back life, I love Thailand its in the heart really as a lot of you will know.❤️🇹🇭

[@Buzzinpattaya]

broken lol, have fun mate

[@thaireetired75]

@@Buzzinpattaya 🤣👍🇹🇭

[@barnettmcgowan8978]

This was a great video chock full of good advice. Especially not taking offense when people are clearly talking about you and laughing. They're not laughing at you in the malicious sense. They're most likely really excited or nervous or both. Thais laugh when they're nervous, and are genuinely kind people. They would feel bad about hurting your feelings, even unintentionally. I've only ventured out to the countryside twice. Both times were enjoyable for a short visit. The experiences taught me that living in the country is not for me. More power to you for being able to do it. I'm sure your wife loves that about you. My first trip I stayed on a floating "shack" on a lake. It was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. We drank beer under the stars and ate fish caught from the lake. I tried not to think about the fact that everyone also did their business into the lake. Big lake with a small number of people, so it seemed to be healthy enough; and I never got sick. It was a 2-day trip, so boredom wasn't really a problem. It definitely would have been had the trip lasted even 1 more day. There was also no privacy, so the horizontal mambo was out. All in all it was a great experience and I'm glad I went. The girl I was dating really appreciated it. That last part was probably the best reason for going. If you're going to enter a serious relationship with a woman of a different culture, you really need to make an effort to met her half way on things if you want the relationship to be based on mutual respect.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Yeah takes some getting used to

[@hextralianstu128]

I have been going to pattaya for many years, we now live in rural sakhon nahkon. it is what you make of it.. isan concerts are what keeps me here.. ha.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

haha great mate

[@emptyemptiness8372]

I came to Isan 12 yrs ago, to a very small rural village in between Udon Thani and Nong Khai....ended up a single dad....and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I spent my youth in squats, my early adult life in the bush and rain forest and communes. I lived years and years with just a bed roll....I had never owned a home or furniture or a vehicle before I came here and the food is just variations of the stuff I always ate. No English so I had to learn Isaan. If you are attached to any part of your Western life, enjoy living as a westerner in Thailand this life,here is not for you....but if you are willing to embrace the Isaan culture wholeheartedly and honestly you will be embraced and supported wholeheartedly. I found my home.....and if I have to go to BKK I speak Isaan, the common manual working persons face lights up to hear a farang speaking their home language....Middle class and Thai nationalists hate it ( I wear that as a badge of honour)......and a good village Molam show has the same loose messy vibe as a folk punk gig.....and you will only be seen as the family ATM if you start your relationship that way especially if your relationship started by paying for her time. People here are very street smart with a matching flexible morality in some areas lol, cashed up boomers will get milked and it is not for the weak hearted/minded. But if you know the game you can find yourself winning here....I did.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience

[@keithrogers2745]

Lived in Surin province 8 years, in the sticks. Built a house and here i stay all time with wife and child. YES, its a totally different way of life, but you learn to live with it and intergrate

[@Buzzinpattaya]

well said

[@jasonkaiser1179]

I'm an American and I have a friend who lives in the Newcastle area. Geordie is like a foreign language!! Took me a year to finally understand her. I went out to Newcastle twice to visit her. I could barely understand anyone. I get the language issue. The are 100's of US and Canadian accents here as well and we mix them up quite a bit which can be confusing to non native speakers. Takes time to learn.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Gotcha

[@Ian4444four]

Away from WiFi so not sure about my placing today?.......looks like 4th 😞

[@Buzzinpattaya]

close mate

[@Ian4444four]

@@nickyboy. Thanks Nicky. Missing your recent challenges, you must find your kit bag again soon 😃

[@rexnex277]

I spent 10 days in rural isan this year and your description was every thing that happened to me .It was amazing to see the real thai culture and i have no problem with the food but there are some things that test you .The first thing is you are at the whim of who you are staying with when it comes to transport and if you cannot speak thai you will spend a lot of time just sitting and listening even though you can see many of them want to speak with you . Getting a good nights sleep can be a challenge because after the music from the neighbor has stopped the dogs will start barking and then at about 5 pm the roosters will be crowing ,only after then if your bed is not too hard you might get some sleep.And yes you will be expected to pay for everything ,even bodda seems to have a way of getting money from you .I enjoyed my stay but went back to pattaya to relax .

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you

[@johncarr1710]

Thanks for the heads up I'm never doing that too much of a city slicker. You forgot to mention the air con , power shower's , fridges . Enjoy the good life

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Great point!

[@koog4228]

Great video Trev. 👍 Thanks.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

thanks mate

[@drt733]

Her indoors comes from a village like this. It is ok for a few days but after that the mose exciting thing is the chicken crossing the yard.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

you are spoilt lol

[@PREPFORIT]

Thanks, Trev. Someday in the future, I will definitely be doing this.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

go for it my man

[@andrewshinegold6988]

Absolutely spot on. I visited my girlfriend's family in rural Thailand. We only staid 3 nights and went back to Bangkok and then to Trang. We slept under mosquito nets and on a futon mat. The only thing I would not eat were mushrooms (I am allergic)). Can I suggest that you do not play cards and gamble with them. First it is illegal and secondly you will lose. So true about being the magic money tree. Be prepared as you said.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Fantastic mate

[@mohammedalbulushi418]

never been there before, but you really touched on quite good points to consider. very ... very helpful. I like the way you present . one more point may worth covering, how safe the rural areas, specially if you are moving around slnoe. thnx

[@martypoll]

Everyplace in Thailand is safe. Smile at people you encounter.

[@mohammedalbulushi418]

​@@martypoll God bless you .👍

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks mate and yes will do

[@TravellingMan20]

Interesting video about rural life there. I haven’t experienced it in Thailand, but it sounds pretty much like my experience in the Philippines, but at least there was a small town and market to look around. Great for a short while but I did get bored, internet was non existent too. Enjoyable video thanks.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

It's definitely an experience

[@DRock7977]

7:44 what a great dog.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you

[@calumncairns3415]

Fascinating that. I've got to ask though, what's the big aversion "no, no" to getting cards out? Playing a solo game or just cards in general? I've often wondered why cards aren't prevalent in the bars .. connect 4 gets boring after 2 games!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Just banned here and Police are hot on it

[@andrewcooper615]

I had travelled the world before ending up in Isaan so wasn't a shock to me. Been here over 10 years and love it. You definitely need a hobby or more than one to occupy your time and learning the lingo opens up further opportunities to enjoy yourself. We have Tesco, BigC only a 20minute drive away and a cinema. Much prefer it to the city life and it makes my trips to Pattaya, Bangkok etc more to look forward to. By the way 7-11s are everywhere, my nearest one is 8kms away. Not for everyone but if you like fresh air and mostly peace and quiet it's great.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Well said mate

[@camerowmetcair8458]

I've spent a lot of time in Issan Korat Chaiyaphum Mukadahan luckily I was working so had something to do and always found a decent resort or hotel. It was great driving around on Sundays and seeing a bit of the country. Not a lot to do at night except in the Cities but no problem early start and early night. And the best Thai food is in the provinces 100%. Thailand also has a lot of public holidays so there was always the opportunity to go BKK or Pattaya for blowout now and then. Good times.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@garethgoodwin913]

Good morning buzzin first time I come to thailand was in 2001 stayed in pattaya then i come back to thailand in 2002 mum my dad took me up to Bangkok from there to where the films was many years ago Bridge over the river quay dont ask me to spell it then from there went to see long neck woman it was amazing to see the woman and children got rings around the neck if was amazing to see thais they waved smile i had a great time

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@tonymeawmeaw6331]

Hi mate this was a good vlog 👍👍👍have you ran out of T shirts or are they all in the wash 👍👍👍

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Just a change for now lol

[@someguy352]

Once you learn the language it's not so bad. Especially if you have a few home improvements and can cook yourself. Loved drinking in the rice fields or creeks. Lao khao can be rough the next day. I'm not the marriage type, but love driving my motorbike to the sticks. Meet some great people.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Well said mate

[@uchibenkei]

It sounds like going on a camping trip. I think I would prepare for it the same way. Bring food, bug spray, drinks, etc.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Go for it

[@joshlind2296]

Great video trev

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks 👍

[@rogerchesson176]

My first trip to Isan was in 1987, I ended up in a small village outside Prakon Chai, we arrived there at night time, I remember my girls father coming out of their home brandishing a rifle, I was absolutely terrified and wondered what was going to happen next. In the end he was a lovely man that I got on very well with, especially when I married his daughter.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

hahahaha I bet you were thinking WTF is this about

[@MrRedResorts]

Girl proud ! this is my man !! YES proud she has a new or another ATM to fund the family's costs....

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Lol

[@Kipper1997]

True.

[@MW-bk5tn]

Another great video trev.. love it how you never sugar coat it .. you tell it how it is 😃 brilliant. I’m planning to living in Thailand for 2 or 3 years I’m 51 Is it worth getting a Thai bank account and what type of visa do I need.. have you ever made a video in past that I could watch on this type of situation

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Defo get a bank account and speak to Darren at [e-mail]

[@mikethompson3534]

By the time your 55 you will look like 75 because you will be the family’s personal ATM

[@MW-bk5tn]

@@mikethompson3534 hahahaha that would be right as well 🤣🤣 I’ve not met anyone just miss Thailand so much .. hate my job and England getting worse .. if I don’t do it now I probably never will and regret it

[@argonaut816]

Did it, probably 20 years ago, but as a day trip. Hired a minibus. It was 5 hours each way, to wherever it was we went. But after 2/3 hours, you could leave. Looked exactly as in Trev's video

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@oceanearth2243]

Went with my girl to Isaan. Had a blast, stayed in a chill hotel and explored the jungle. I’d advise just going with an open mind and visit some nature. Rent motorcycle and ride .

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Gotcha mate

[@unlikelysourcecom9068]

First visit was in 1999. Bangkok to Surin by train. Surin to Prasat by bus. Prasat to the town by songtao. At the time the last leg to the village was by motorbike. Mainly dirt roads ... all mud in the rainy season. People were super friendly and extremely curious. Most had never seen a "Farang" before. They all wanted to touch my skin and hair. Alcoholism was (and still is) rampant, and a number of the drunks were a bit *too* friendly, and eventually started pestering me for money. The village girls were stunningly gorgeous, and shy in equal measure. Now it's a lot different. Roads are paved, and it's easier to drive. They do speak a dialect pronounced "Ka main" as the village is only about 20 km from the Cambodian border. Very hot of course, so the minute the car pulls up now, my wife's family immediately sends one of the kids to fetch a fan. Don't drink the water: it's usually collected rain water that sits in a clay cistern for a month. The family must have iron stomaches I swear. Since the food they always offer is cooked in this water, I've learned not to have any soup, but egg dishes are ok (fresh eggs!), and any grilled meat is ok.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Wow thanks for sharing your experience with us

[@drt733]

I think as well Trev that in some of these villages the rice farming families only earn 50-70k a year so when we go with the girls it shows the family got lucky. The farang who do well are those with something to do everyday like a farm or fishing lake or something to have a reason to get out of bed everyday. Otherwise its easy to start drinking to see the day out. My friend used to manage 3 months then would go to pattaya for a month just to re socialize, go to the cinema etc. Then back to farm life

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Great shout mate

[@davidhidalgo8465]

If you’re going to Issan, stay in the village for the authentic experience 😉

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Absolutely, lived in a village for 6 years

[@elnet1]

The bed situation. I visited a Thai friend and his wife in their rural village. Very nice people, like stay here tonight and all. I wanted to return to the village, but they said no hotels. So, nightfall came, stay here. Show me the bed. You can sleep here, my friend on one side and his wife on the other! Doh. They had one of those platforms with a roof on it, so I went and put my stuff on it and I'll sleep here tonight. Young 20's neighbor comes over, we talk for a bit, he runs off. Brings back a huge mosquito net so that its more comfortable. Very nice people. I couldn't sit cross legged, my knee is bad. Been like that for ages.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

They are lovely people mate, so caring and giving

[@stevenwagstaffe7074]

I used to make sure i turned up with a box of beer, couple of bottles of whisky and a couple of cooked chicken.....then told the misses thats al the pressys so tell the fam to not keep asking, always worked well for me

[@Buzzinpattaya]

haha brilliant

[@mikethompson3534]

Don’t bet on it

[@garryoliver1445]

Lived in the sticks near Phetchabun for over 9 years it is mind numbingly boring. Had occasional escape to Pattaya to keep my sanity ha ha. Family and children kept me there. The amount of other farangs that turned to the drink was amazing. Used to go to a local bar on certain days over 20 farangs in about 6 years that number was down to about 6. Due to drink related issues killed then off. One point YOU WILL NEVER BE A THAI. After 34 years of visiting and living in Thailand I think I have an idea. Unfortunately some of the stuff you are talking about are through rose tinted glasses.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Lol fair play

[@richardhoo1485]

Spot on. I live in village outside burirum city and the reality is you can only live in such a village if you were born in it. The few other farangs around about have either died or pissed off to home countries. Boredom is the killer. So regular r and r to bkk necessary. Too true you will never be a Thai...and the green eyes all around seeing the house and car etc and no debt. Viewed as a bank by many but dont lend except to one neighbor so I kee niaow. You have to come to terms with the selfishness that prevails.. and u need to be careful!!

[@cosu1590]

Greetings Trev ....First time i went off the beaten track was in 1980 ..Went where most of the local kids had never seen a white guy before , its now known as the dark side ! And that's probably as far as i would travel to rough it and play Father Christmas !

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Cheers mate

[@michaelchristophergutierre7244]

I just found your channel. Great content, delivery and information! My only ad is that when you mentioned "beds" you're speaking from a first world principle. I'm a social anthropologist and social worker and the mats on the floor is a "BED", it's just not a western style bed......being culturally aware is important . As different as we are , we really are not that different. Great video!!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you

[@PsychicLord]

For my first time, it was a bit of a shock, especially the lack of aircon. The family would always ensure I had a chair, or a seat on a raised platform (they dined on these raised platforms), and they would switch on a large fan to keep me cool (although it is hot air being blown around). The toilet facilities were very basic, and the families kitchen had no outside walls, which was weird to see the first time. Since my partner and I hired a car, it was agreed that I would sleep in a hotel in the nearest city (Roi Et), and we would visit each day, but have time to ourselves as well. Being vegetarian, I was unable to share meals with the family since they were heavily carnivore. Nobody spoke English, but I had a surprise when I noticed that one of the teenage 'cousins' was wearing an Arsenal shirt.... I said to him do you support the team, and was surprised by a response in basic English (he was learning at school). One skill I obtained during my visits was that I can easily identify profitable rice fields, having picked it up from conversations with my partner.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you for sharing your experience with us

[@d.bcooper7819]

Great list. I’d only recommend to also bring some ear plugs because barking dogs and roosters that can’t tell time may disturb your sleeping.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

That's a good idea!

[@scottbrown7415]

The simple life in many parts of this world is also a hard life. Bring along some empathy. There are places in America that are very rustic and basic too. The Appalachian hill country and the gulf area of Louisiana come to mind. They are poor in dollars but rich in culture.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Gotcha

[@drcrocodile1]

Northern Thailand is one of my favorite parts of the world. Traveled there 4 times, to Chiang Mai, Pai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Soppong, Fang, and many smaller towns in between. Warm people, cheap accommodation, excellent food, gorgeous scenery, great motorbike rides.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thanks for sharing!

[@SuperBillybob53]

It is much nicer in this area than Issan but too far from the Ocean.

[@danrich4912]

Sounds like a day in the life of a carribean, well that was in the late 80's don't know about now, you nailed the info i think mate.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Haha cheers mate

[@alancolazzi4975]

YES!!!!

[@Ian4444four]

Nice top step Alan 👏

[@Buzzinpattaya]

BOSH

[@terrydelve4988]

Did that in the Philippines, can't wait to see and experience it in thialand,

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@knightrider7950]

Have stoped sleep over in the villages. Since 2019 we instead stay in a descend hotel in the local city and take a taxi to the village for some houres visit in villige. First time in villige vas 2002 too meet family. I was young then so sleeping on a matres on the floor was not so hard. But 20 years later whit 3 kids used to western standard overnight in villige is not an option. Go there some houres during day then back to the city

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Understand

[@sconna4951]

Thanks Trev for your words of wisdom, I'm going to the village for the first time next month so I feel prepared now

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Have fun 😄

[@Kipper1997]

Don't Do It Dude

[@nigelwilliams9307]

I loved village life, the only real problem was that being the only farang I was expected to pay not just for my girlfriend's food, drinks, clothes etc. but the rest of the family kept expecting me to help them out too. Of course if you refuse it causes friction. I went along with it for as long as it suited me, then left. It's a great shame they never know when to stop asking for money.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Yeah that's standard sadly

[@TheAndybow1964]

Yes, exactly the same with my wife's near Khon Kaen. You only have two options, if you pay you are perceived as rich and generous and they will come to you with everything. If you don't you are mean and or poor.

[@nigelwilliams9307]

@@TheAndybow1964 yep

[@uchibenkei]

what's the issue with playing cards?

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Illegal mate as gambling

[@uchibenkei]

@@Buzzinpattaya only if you have more than 120, no? 1 deck should be fine.

[@stuckinthepattayabubble9319]

Look buffalo.....feed chicken....get maow......and get eaten by mosquito. Couldn't wait to get back to Patts lol.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

lol

[@LarryWestfall]

Not all of Isaan is "jungle". I live in Khon Kaen near the international airport. We have shopping malls, light rail transit, taxi service and everything else you find in a city. Shopping for food at Makro, Big C, Tops, and/or Lotus is easily done. Banks, international schools, restaurants (Thai and Western) can be found throughout Khon Kaen city.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

I did say that mate, likewise I live very close to Korat, has all you have and more, but in the rural village is where I live and describe

[@lucee2261]

@@Buzzinpattaya - I've made a note of the bar you showed in the video - Korat is always a good stopover when travelling from Northern Isaan to Chonburi & beyond. Usually stop in the Imperial hotel because of it's walking distance proximity to the NBK night market & Big Bear Bar.

[@gavinbottcher9174]

Udon Thani is the same.i think Trevor is referring to the farangs who live way out in the middle of nowhere.

[@SALILGUPTA2010]

YOU ARE DOING VERY HARD WORK. YOU ARE GIVING US VERY USEFUL INFORMATION. I AM ALSO FROM ENGLAND AND WOULD LIKE TO MEET YOU. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW WE CAN MEET UP IN THAILAND OR UK. GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you, hope you get out soon

[@ugenescott111]

There was a u-tube vlog his name was Azitaka ( I bet I spelled it wrong) But he had a bar girl girl friend and they went to her village for a visit. It was a Awesome cluster of videos I thought it was awesome. It was a few years back. I commented on his blog later asked him why he didn't do more of that stuff and he said u-tube frowned on them videos. Them videos was so awesome really filmed it all. I was lucky to have seen them I guess. Maybe you could do that Trev ? I'd sure watch it. Thank You for all your work I've learned a lot from you.👍💯🙏

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Gonna say that was a lame get out mate, YT love those type of videos about village life

[@brianwilson8160]

I was out in an area right near the Lao border outside Ubon in 1974 when I was there in the Air Force. It was just for the day. My experiences in a province was in the Philippines the first time I went there. Exactly as you describe, however this was almost 50 years ago so everyone had much less back then. First time walking around the village everyone pointing at you. Every kid in the village followed us around. Then in the evening sitting around in the house and a lot of kids watching through the window. You just embrace it. As far as language, it is pretty much just like Thailand. In the village they speak their own language. Some not even Tagalog which is the national language. I have been going to my late wife’s village since 1975, and my last time was in 2019. I wouldn’t trade my time there for anything. I plan to spend this coming winter traveling and seeing Thailand and the Philippines again. I want to go to Udon and Ubon as those are the places I was in Thailand back in 1974 and other places. Love your info. Great job and keep it up. Brian Wilson

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Now that really is back in the day

[@stevemcdougal9220]

I met a girl in Phuket and her family lived in a village near Khon Kaen. I stayed with her and her family for 4 days. I loved it. Her Father worked on the farm and her Mother stayed at home cooking. cleaning etc. The food was excellent She took me to the local beauty spots on her motorbike. The only downside was that my hand was never out of my pocket when the family wanted shopping. At the end of the 4 days she asked for 5.000 Baht too. We kept in touch for a few weeks later but it faded off.

[@shortmemory]

What happens when you say no to giving them money?

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

@@shortmemory if you say no the girlfriend would lose face and it won't end well.. At the end of the day you know what you were getting into so you only have yourself to blame if you don't like it. But do remember what they think is a chunk of money isn't that much back home.

[@shortmemory]

@@TheHateSpeechChannel so probably think of it as a paid tour with a person touch

[@stevemcdougal9220]

@@shortmemory Not sure. I don’t think they would be happy.

[@shortmemory]

@@stevemcdougal9220 I don't think I'd be too happy either having to pay for everything if the relationship was a real one

[@shoespoons]

Could anybody give me advice on a good .. English Thai translation app?

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Maybe try online lessons?

[@johnbennett9618]

Google translate is pretty good - odd translates at times but makes things a lot easier.

[@joshua6244]

Outside of the tourist areas, some of the hotels-even the better ones- are horrendous: bare wires in the shower etc Often they only serve Thai food.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

The wires really are mind-blowing

[@htowntopattaya1034]

My first impression was being amazed at the constant parade of Iron Buffalo, homemade trucks, real buffalo and 8 year olds driving scooters going by the road at the front of our house all day long.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Lol it's an eye opener for sure

[@mikemocarski6916]

Was there in ‘68, you should have seen the villages back then. Bamboo huts built on stilts with thatched roofs and rain barrel catches for showers. The weed wow, did they ever get me loaded. You’re right it was one hell of an experience…

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Wow sounds amazing

[@german411]

I lived in a village for 7 years,for me it was realxing and mellow,quiet,I would jump on my bike in the mornings,go into a bigger town,do some shopping,visit w/ my friend,go out to lunch,go get a massage and then go home,take a nap and get up and read or watch TV,if I wanted some action I would go into Chiengrai and hit a couple of bars,pick up a lady ,stay a over night in Hotel and go home in morning,I lived 45 kilometers from ChiangRai.Best time of my life,it had to come to an end in 2010 when I went back to california to take care of my sick ex-wife.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@martypoll]

OK. First Time. My GF (now wife) brought me up to Pathum Thani (between Bangkok and Ayutthaya) to see her sister and mother. This is a suburban area but the house was a rural house at the end of a long dirt road, next to a rice field, and was a ramshackle house on stilts with standing water underneath. So guys . . . absolutely crucial to the rest of the visit is going to be your initial reaction. You facial expression. Body language. Whatever you say. It HAS to indicated that you are comfortable with the circumstances and the situation. Smiling and laughing go a long way to built good will anywhere. Also, do a little self reflection about your reaction because if you stay with her then this is going to be a part of your future reality. Do an actual gut check. Me? I was surprised to find I was just fine with it. I needed to adjust into it but my GF and the family were friendly, attentive, and did everything they could to treat me like a guest. In this case I really truly was the first foreigner to ever enter their house. Given where we were everyone had already planned for me and my GF to stay at a local resort room. We did eat Isaan food cooked at the house, eaten on a mat on the floor, served family style. At least taste most everything to be polite. Expect picnic standards of hygiene. Since no one speaks English they will eventually talk among themselves periodically checking to see if you have had enough to eat. For two days they used my presence as an excuse to visit far flung temples that they had never been to. I still love visiting Thai temples. Six years later we are building a house in my wife's Isaan village.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@danfreisting2874]

You do videos sometimes on a balcony in a high rise apartment by a railroad. Is that the village you say you live in? You once mentioned also living something like a wigwam. Or is that life in a village when you go north? I would say village life would be a step too far for me

[@Buzzinpattaya]

The balcony is my condo in Pattaya mate

[@robwolf2152]

Earlier this year I took my new girlfriend to Bangkok and one day we went to visit her sister. It was a short visit, but her sister lived in the back street of a Bangkok non-city area. They put out a mat outdoors and gave me a child's seat to sit on (too old to sit on floor), plus hook up a fan. Sis boyfriend was working on a motorbike (his employment) and we had a short conversation, but mostly the two ladies talked. Next time would like to treat them to some food. As for myself, can handle just about anything spicy or not. Chicken feet, insects, prefer intestines fried over boiled, fine with sharing food and as my father use to say, it all goes to the same place, so I don't care if food gets mixed together. Not that it's exactly the same, but I have gone to places in Pattaya where falangs are scarce if present at all with various ladies, so I'm not nervous nor feel alone in such situations. However, in all cases, ended in my own bed, so no floor sleeping for me.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

intestines fried are just so delicious

[@drinkslee]

What a great stream 👍

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Thank you

[@drinkslee]

@@Buzzinpattaya 🙏 u

[@JonGlez978]

I’m living here right now (Roi Et province)… but I prepared myself before coming here. I have most of the western amenities (bathrooms, king size bed, AC, Gigabit Internet, solar lights, car, bikes, and other things). But I could see if you come here to visit someone’s family it could be a huge culture shock and a totally different experience… especially if they are poor. I would definitely not be able to live here if I don’t have the things I have. But that’s my point if you want to buy all the amenities you need to make yourself more comfortable… Between Lazada, Makro, Shoppe, Big C or others… you can 😅 I actually like Thai food… but one of the main reasons I wanted to move here was to grow my own food, the slow pace life, and the lower cost of living. Some of the things I don’t like… “saving face”some will flat out lie to you just to save face…some people are superstitious and set in there ways. Money is everything for a lot of them, people here live in the present… there is zero concept of the future or saving for later. Many cover their skin to avoid getting tanned no matter how hot is outside. Some can also talk very loud and others watch your every move. I let my wife buy everything… to avoid misunderstandings. People ask her for money… not me. Lol When we first met she would expect me to pay… but as time went on she realized that if I “lose” money… she is also “losing” money. She is not scared to “lose face” to get the point across.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you for sharing your experience

[@gymratt17]

I had prepared myself to expect people to ask me for money. It never happens. My thai wife though gets bothered all the time. I didn't realize that I would create a problem for her. At least she can deal with it in a culturally appropriate manner that won't cause future problems but for some reason didn't see that one coming.

[@JonGlez978]

@@gymratt17 My wife used to help out some of her friends when they ask her for money. But not anymore, she only helps immediate family (father, mother, 1 or 2 “real” uncles that’s it) Her tolerance for stress is way lower than mine, so I give her space and eventually she will do what I would’ve advised her without me telling her a single word. I guess we both have been mold to understand each other. In the beginning I would ask her why she let her friends borrow money and bring unnecessary stress into her life… but somehow that would backfire on me. The fact is our difference in culture is tremendous. You have to have an open mind when you go into a relationship with a Thai. There’s a lot of things I had to learned by observation and asking occasional questions when it didn’t make sense.

[@jamesvreeland2632]

Ok I see you mentioned mosquitos at the end.THANKS

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Haha welcome

[@martinkerry7538]

Been living in my village here in Isan for three and a half years now and love it. I'm in nong bua lamphu provence surrounded by farmland. An hour and a half drive from Udonthani. City life is not for me

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@petebailey5701]

Totally correct mate with all you said, I only do a day trip to the village these days…I stay at our condo in RoiEt…I love walking down the soi’s in the village…”farang farang” from the kids…stares lol…yep we have a big night with seafood and bbq, some Lcow for the bros and Leo…they come from everywhere when we hit the village….all the ‘aunts and sisters’ arrive 🤣 Then I escape on the moto and head back to town…leaving the wife there for a night or two….suits me 😝

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Roi Et is lovely

[@petebailey5701]

@@Buzzinpattaya absolutely mate !

[@laurencefarrugia431]

My wife is from Surin like most a eye opener when I first meet the outlaws .We travel to the farm yearly I hire a car from Suvarnabhumi and drive to the farm.I always book a hotel in the city and leave the wife stay with her family I call in from time to time and do my own exploring most the time it’s to fn hot to stay on the farm .If I’m hanging around to eat I’ll make sure I buy some farang food for all to eat the kids also love me 🤣🤣.YES they do talk about you first couple of times I can tell the family was talking about me because they laugh and call me farang .Surin has a Robinson that you can get some western perspective shopping done .And we have six buffaloes strangely when I go up to the farm none of them are ever sick 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Buzzinpattaya]

nice one make thanks for sharing

[@hfc6535]

Thanks for the advice. I've not experienced village life but would like to for a couple of days. Not sure about the food tho . Maybe a way of losing some weight. Lol

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Haha go for it mate

[@gordondollman3606]

Thank you for the veu it's great i can't leave the U.S. stay safe

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

First trip just south of khon kaen to visit wife's family wasn't any different to what I was expecting. The imiges you showed were basically the same as I experienced. I was made to feel very welcome and some strong bonds made in a short space of time. Travelling on farm roads at night with 1 candle power headlight ain't fun, especially when creatures are jumping and crawling around. Stray dogs just standing in the middle of the road too, ohh when we first arrived there were 2 dead 14 year old girls lying in the road... They road straight into the back of a dump truck at night. Blood everywhere! Lots of "pink" sand on the road the next day... Not a good start but road safety ain't a thing there.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Nice one mate thank you for sharing your experience

[@JE-gy4ew]

It was indeed something different. First and only time I showered with a scoop and bucket.

[@JE-gy4ew]

And also the first and last time I tried Lao Khao…

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Haha

[@gotthesinglelife]

Have to say the bugs and insects loves it spicy used local and 70%deet got bitten a few times but the mosquito nets helps a lot. I also find it easier especially if you are far away from the shops to have your snacks lined up because if the Samg Song gets passed around driving or riding is off the table.

[@Buzzinpattaya]

Gotcha