"She Came From A Village" - A Short Thailand Film

"She Came From A Village" - A Short Rural Thailand Documentary.
EVER wondered where all the PRETTY THAI GIRLS come from?
I took a week long journey into the heart of rural Thailand's ISAN region to LIVE and LEARN with the LOCAL VILLAGERS. I ate with them, I drank with them, I laughed with them, they laughed at me and I captured LIFE in a remote ISAN village. The short film touches on themes including Thai food, Thailand Farming Practices, Customs & Traditions, Thailand Drug Abuse & Addiction, Crime in Rural Thailand, as well as investigating why young thai girls and boys leave their regional homes and travel to Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui & Bangkok sometimes as young as 14.
This Short Film is shot in my girlfriend Lele's home town of Det Udom, Ubon Ratchatani. There will be a follow-up film coming out shortly with an interview with Lele and her extended family members discussing the high's and low's of growing up with such a simple lifestyle. From eating insects to heading to a factory to work at age 15, the young people of Ubon Ratchatani have many stories to tell and I'm humbled to be able to share some of them here.
$$$ - This short film is NOT MONETISED because I wanted to use copyright ISAN music in the presentation. If you feel like SUPPORTING the Rural Thailand Trip you can make a small donation on my BuyMeACoffee page listed below. Rest assured, this journey to the village cost us a packet, as is the nature of visiting a low income area where there's high need. In the follow-up video I will document the donating of funds to Lele's family to support the 3 orphaned nephews who feature heavily in this film.
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[@rogerparis]

Your warmth, kindness, curiosity and genuine nature shine through in every video. Your simply the best.

[@janew5752]

That was so interesting to watch. You are a kind man Sam. The family all seem to love you

[@lordrossmacca]

Well done Sam A great insight into the real Thailand. A lot of interesting information about rural life. The school function looked amazing

[@robertb2196]

Incredible work! You really seem to be coming into your own with your KZbin channel in Thailand. If you keep on creating vlogs of this quality, that are every bit as informative and continue to provide an in depth view into the daily lives and culture of the people of Thailand, you are going to smash it! You seem to be genuinely happy with where you are in life now, especially in comparison to where you were not all that long ago, and it's great see. Keep on finding you happiness, Sam. Well done.

[@GoneAdrift]

😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@mickherbert9620]

Good Work Sam, always interesting to see how they majority of the people make there living... It may be Subsistence farming but they all seem happy.

[@GoneAdrift]

Their life outlook seems different to ours, hey!

[@keisone]

Love it!

[@franksaunders6534]

Very enjoyable!

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you as always Frank :)

[@JP.Travelz]

Ok Tarantino ....I am intrigued :🤪😍

[@GoneAdrift]

Haha! 3 days in the chair 🪑 My bum is a pancake 🥞

[@petejames4672]

​@GoneAdrift great vids but why is the camera mostly on the floor , and you have to crouch down ?

[@LarsPetterHedman]

Really good video! Keep this kind of videos comming! So nice to follow you from Sweden!

[@mestizo_asia]

Fantastic video, great work!

[@user-kz9rp3pq2z]

Great vlog, Sam. Really enjoyed it, thank you.

[@ingwisingwis8336]

This was GREAT!

[@mark_FL70]

Great video, Sam. Love your content. Keep it coming.

[@MattSmith-qn9cv]

Super interesting and informative video, lots of colour and fun at the school, a very layed back lifestyle in rural Thailand thou with heaps of work, families clearly abounds

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers Mr S!

[@MattSmith-qn9cv]

@@GoneAdrift, I had not totally finished watching the video, as I had to water, so I commented 90 percent through Thankyou for the dedication Sam

[@puggsincyberspace]

Great video, that looked like a lot of fun. but you can have the camping...

[@GoneAdrift]

hahaha, the tent was great. Wasn't hot but the mattress, yeah i want my 350thb back!!!! damn

[@MacPOPOPO]

very interesting piece, thank you!

[@brettmichael1916]

Really enjoyable to watch. Great vlog Sam, cheers!

[@danielj3010]

This is awesome!!

[@matthewfriedewald8551]

that was an exceptional video brother, well done ! safe journey

[@rastaph]

Most in depth video I have seen on Thai culture. Outstanding work. Keep them coming!

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you for your support Mr Ralph 🙏🏻

[@rolfkettner3370]

Great movie, so interesting and well done 👍

[@mikekuiper3246]

This was an awesome video. Loved it Sam

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers Mr Mike!

[@jakedenteith2335]

Just bloody enjoyable 👍

[@David_in_Thailand]

This was a very well produced video. Very informative. Well done Sam.

[@RJ986S]

Wow, Sam. This is unique, imaginative, creative film-making. Thoroughly informative and totally entertaining. Well done!!

[@Canuck153]

I enjoyed watching your video. I think this is your best one so far. Well done!!

[@GoneAdrift]

Me too!!!

[@the_doghouse_collars]

Your videos just get better and better. You absolutely have a talent. For this. I started watching your videos through kies one channel, but now yours by far better well done. Keep it up. You definitely going in the right direction.

[@rotimi22]

I love how you show different aspects of Thailand and what it's like to live in the rural areas (well as much as you can in a short 15 min video). Your random day in the life videos around Pattaya are entertaining too. Nice work, bro!

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks mate :)

[@anthonyazzopardi-ee1bv]

That’s awesome what a vlog fantastic keep it up Sam ❤

[@Riccardo-lagz]

Wow Sam really enjoying your vlogs been missing your enthusiasm and excitement you show when making your content. Great work😊

[@IWarwickI]

Amazing job with this video, you have gotten a lot more natural with your delivery

[@tommyj3071]

Super good video - As I've said before love your style and editing skill.

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks Mr Tom!

[@Matt-ee3qg]

Well Sam you done it mate a 15 minute video and a very good one at that . A good insight of rural Thailand looking forward to your video

[@GoneAdrift]

😊🙏🏻

[@BADQ]

Mate that was totally amazing, Dee and I really enjoyed that, beautifully done! Very nice ✌

[@RedzillaYT]

Do ther tum is my fav that song by far! Good job mate

[@calky360]

What a fantastic video, I just got back from staying at my gf's place in northern Thailand and can relate to so many aspects of this video. Even down to the loan sharking that goes on between people in the village.

[@gleynnugent9356]

Really enjoy your videos, thanks for taking the time to put this out there for us to enjoy, much appreciation 😊

[@GoneAdrift]

So nice of you

[@MK-gr9qz]

A really good one👍

[@robertgordon2110]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks Mr Robert 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@user-tu4ls7zi7u]

Mate.. Great vid you absolutely nailed it 👍👍 Keep up the Good work Super!! ❤🇹🇭🙏

[@GoneAdrift]

Hell yeah thank YOU!!!

[@wanderlustasia]

Outstanding mate that 3 days of editing was worth it.

[@peterhamilton8530]

Hi Sam, Great video mate. Looks like life in the vil is good. Keep up the great u tube vids. Be in phuket/pattaya mid year. Cheers Peter (from Melbourne).

[@GoneAdrift]

Awesome mate! Drop us a line when you’re in the P!

[@peterhamilton8530]

​@@GoneAdriftshell do mate

[@Joe-os1is]

Great vlog sam I spent 2 weeks In kalian never saw another falang whole time I was there Loved every minute. thai people are so hard working, it's a better way of life than we have in the west.

[@GoneAdrift]

I struggled with the acceptance of flies all over the food but beyond that, I was happy!!!

[@fernunfiltered]

You’re killing it with your editing Sam mixed with your Aus humor… gold! Love it!

[@GoneAdrift]

Many thanks beloved Fernske! Xox

[@nickmcnamara5547]

Awesome mate, looking forward to be back up in Loei with my Terak's kids in April 😍

[@Wallentx]

Geez. That brought me right back to Isaan. Only been 3 weeks since I visited, but miss it every day. Never have been able to properly show people what my time there is like but this video nails it. Thanks for this one.

[@stephenmullally6498]

Very good video I really enjoyed that

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks Mr Stephen!

[@ChefKinga]

Been watching your videos for a while mate... This one was exceptionally interesting, a real window to rural Thailand life. Keep up the good work mate... 👌🍺

[@GoneAdrift]

God bless ya Chef!

[@gum6y1]

Very original content getting better and better.

[@EarthCamper]

Just enjoyed the video....👍

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you Earthy!

[@patrickclark9719]

Great video work .

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you Sir!!

[@trailrunningexperience496]

Great stuff Sam. Fun!

[@GoneAdrift]

😊🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tubesoupio]

New subscriber here, great stuff!

[@elvinrook8442]

GOOD ONE 👍

[@Dan-hz5tg]

Love the video, I like exploring all of Thailand and getting these kinds of experinces. You do have to get used to being looked a lot, as everyone is wondering where this farang came from. But I get nothing but love from the Thai people I have interacted with.

[@tonyh6846]

Cheers mate 🙂

[@EsquireUnlimited]

mate, I really enjoyed this video. quality content!👍

[@GoneAdrift]

I’m honoured!!!! Nice to hear from you Sir

[@deanedgar3022]

Cool movie to watch keep up the great content. Go skip go

[@GoneAdrift]

🦘🦘

[@paulmillward7009]

Good video. A more adventurous person than me. I have been spoiled by the Western way of life. I could not function in rural Thailand, too hard for me.

[@GoneAdrift]

I was given no choice haha!

[@Darryl_Smith]

I think you found your groove! Great job. I'll be back - shortly...

[@GoneAdrift]

Awesome Daz! Drop us a line

[@Darryl_Smith]

Will do mate.!@@GoneAdrift

[@JayDKBGames]

No CAP I think your videos are killing everybody's Thailand video. The quality the subject and the editing. Even better than your boy Keis One. Your voice is perfect for the youtube business.

[@allanwilliams1814]

Hi Sam great work, I just returned to Oz after visiting Phimai, you have captured the rural life perfectly.

[@GoneAdrift]

Many thanks!

[@AMP593]

Possibly up there in the top 2, I have watched of yours. I met you one time with Nick at Lupta. Great work mate!

[@GoneAdrift]

I think I remember Aaron, and thank you!!

[@marcp108]

Love it - you are so at home

[@GoneAdrift]

Taa Mr Marc 🙏🏻

[@MyCozyLotus]

Love this! What's the song at 6:40? I generally only go to Thai live-music places and hear it all the time. I just started my channel based on pursuit of happiness in Thailand and this video brings all the good vibes!

[@davewave36]

"What the Flock" lol, been to Thailand multiple times, follow every Thailand vlogger, and really enjoying your journey as you deepen your content. Really starting to differentiate from the others. Starting to remind me of Anthony Bourdain quality. Awesome, authentic, and interesting. Well done. Cheers

[@GoneAdrift]

😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thegypsysoul]

I know it’s not much but just wanted to say thanks for your videos mate. They make huge difference in my (a lot of people’s) day. อย่ามีชีวิต ชนิดที่เวลาผ่านมาแล้ว…มานึกเสียดายทีหลัง

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks so much mate. I really appreciate your kind words and gestures 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@cwinasia]

Not what I was expecting at all. Lovely, emphatic and really well done. If you need help filming sometime please reach out. I’m in Pratamnak 🙏🏼

[@Grimreapervlogs]

Awesome video mate. Really makes U take the small things in life for granted. Hope this video gets the views it deserves bro. Miss U brother hopefully catch up for a beer soon

[@GoneAdrift]

Taa Mikey

[@Grimreapervlogs]

Also that is my favourite Thai song bro

[@c0rn15hman3]

Cool video, you have a good life. Subscribed 👍

[@GoneAdrift]

Muchas Gracias Sir 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@boeasy3015]

Sawadee Khap Issan Sam 🙏 great video and insight to those that cant experience true issan life, love the "wind sock" on the dog 😂my girls Ma in Sakhon Nakhon has a similar contraption on one of their dogs, but it is around his neck and drags on the ground as he to used to chase cars.. does he now, nope 😂 , so glad for Lele that she could be with her kids on Children day, Thais really take it seriously, were as you know most privileged westerns will huff and puff and say " every day is childrens day" are at least my folks did 😜 but with Thais its nice it is a Traditional day, it looks like you had a great time (its very hard not to, I know😉) Great video mate, keep them coming Stay Safe 🙏

[@GoneAdrift]

Much appreciated my friend!

[@Ccorder528]

You seem very relatable mate keep up the vibe

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks matey!!! :)

[@virtualpattaya6]

5:47 what the hell happened there? 55555 makes me regret not going to Isaan on my recent trip. Great video Sam!

[@GoneAdrift]

Human error!!! Haha

[@trentstravels]

Cool. It is daunting having everyone stare at you. I went to Denchai many years ago, & fair to say they don't see many westerners there, so got a lot of stares. Especially from kids, who were very intrigued by this farang 😂

[@tonybond9918]

Awesome effort mate, it really is a different world up in Issan, compared to the South. Strong spirit of community. Thanks for sharing your journey🙏

[@GoneAdrift]

I learned a plenty!!

[@tonybond9918]

@@GoneAdrift I bet you did lol

[@drewcorry5056]

Did not see the beauty from the intro. Enjoyed video

[@lovinthailand921]

First!

[@robertgordon2110]

❤❤❤

[@mikeyboy3054]

Pretty much the same as my experience of visiting my wife's family in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. What amazed me is how happy everyone seems. It's taught me how what we place value on in life like a big house or fancy car is worshipping a false desire. Family and friends along with your health is all that matters. The rest is a distraction.

[@steverosse]

I liked everything about this except the use of the words "real Thailand" and the term "unprecedented access." Isaan is no more "real" than Sukhumvit, assuming anybody could come up with a definition for "real Thailand." And farang have been living in the boonies in this country since the 1600s. Edna Bruner Bulkley came to Trang in 1904 and stayed for sixty years. Thousands of missionaries and Peace Corps volunteers have done it. Living on a farm in Isaan is not even unprecedented on modern KZbin. Every bar girl who snags a farang tries to drag him home, to show him off and to keep him away from prettier women. He gets bored drinking lao kao under a tree with the uncles and launches a YT channel to keep busy. But other than those bits of poor word choice this was very well done and very watchable. You have an engaging screen presence, and your delivery is relatively free of judgment. Liked and subscribed.

[@GlitteratiLive]

Staying in your train of thought, I actually mind the implicit link between isan, bar girls and farang. That being said, let’s just enjoy his lovely videos and thank him for a view through fresh 2024 eyes.

[@evansmusic2009]

I do consider this the real (authentic/original) Thailand, although Isaan has strong Laos connections... The vast majority of Thais still live this way, well away from city life but from your comment I assume you know that already... I miss Isaan and my short stints of staying there but I came to realise its a tough life there for a foreigner, especially without fluent Thai...

[@evansmusic2009]

I just realised ... Tims Sunday buddy 😅.... Now Phuket - how much of the population there are original residents I wonder!? And was the lifestyle originally so much different? Food had more influence from the sea and the south no doubt... Field rat or minced river fish larb was unlikely a staple of the diet...

[@davidpattison5860]

Hi @steverosse Are you still smarting after being told off for making the same quote about Bangkok not being real Thailand living , I do listen to your videos , See you and Tim tomorrow Regards Davy

[@steverosse]

@@davidpattison5860 I used the word "authentic," and I posed it as a question. I never claimed to present the authentic, or real, Thailand. Big difference.

[@DJR382]

Im glad you are doing this so i never have to 😆😆

[@GoneAdrift]

Hahaha nice!!

[@Skenners]

What a great vid, well done, mate. Its a keis crossed with Dan mixed with your own natural flair, so excellent. I wouldnt call the ladies loan sharks, more microfinancers as I doubt they would kneecap someone for not paying instead of collateral collections. Still, very fun trip through rural thailand.

[@GoneAdrift]

Microfinanciers! Love it!!!

[@ferney2936]

it's 4% interest a month. I'd call it loansharking but that's the normal rate here

[@jm-is4cr]

Jing jing mr sam ,you do good Na

[@GoneAdrift]

Hahaha, love it 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@xxpjhxx]

LOL @ unprecedented access... every issan village already has 3-4 farang house. Other than that, you did a good Job to show the life that thousands of farang live everyday.

[@leomontmarquet7728]

I find since you have your girlfriend your videos are a lot better showing the life of a foreigner with a Thai woman and there life style

[@Just_Mike64]

Great video and even greater editing, isan in a nutshell in 15 minutes ! Congrats. My two cents : Been a few times in Nakon Nowhere but apart from the friendly people it's not a great place to be. Bad food, bad healthcare, bad safety and most of all ; almost nothing to do, except working on the farm if that is your thing of course. Girlfriend still says "if there is ever some good healthcare near us, he will move with me to isan" but no, she is wrong. Don't want to spend the last 20-30 years of life in a rice field paddy chasing frogs as entertainment. I know too many farangs that spend the majority of the day in the one airconditioned room with Netflix, asking themselves how they ended up there. -- Your editing is great, make a side job out of it :-)

[@ferney2936]

Yes, I think you're right. The environment doesn't really suit us long term though it's fun for a few days

[@howiefeltersnatch6974]

Thank you for this video !!! I have met many Thai women in pattaya from Isaan thinking--maybe I should go to Isaan to meet them before they become pattaya tainted!!!

[@GoneAdrift]

Brace for daily insect eating 🥣🤣🤣🤣

[@howiefeltersnatch6974]

@@GoneAdrift How do you deal with the everyday culture shock, not to mention lack of English speaking people(USA here)

[@mcb00m]

Not many farang can handle it. Visiting is ok, living there is a totally different story!​@@howiefeltersnatch6974

[@MrShaunmcclure]

"that was a loan shark hut!" ha

[@GoneAdrift]

best comment to date hahaha

[@phillipbradshaw4006]

“There is no doubt in my mind that issan is the absolute home of pick up trucks” Hello from Texas.

[@GoneAdrift]

Touché !

[@guymandudely324]

With the drought only one rice crop a year. Of course, the adult children go to Bangkok to make money to support the parents. And now even rubber tree farms are not making much money. I never understood why corn farmers couldn't figure out how to distill corn whiskey and sell it to supplement their income.

[@GoneAdrift]

Fascinating!!!!

[@rudirude4357]

That farm is doing very well to make that much. Usually it is a lot less according to my missus.

[@GoneAdrift]

Interesting, those figures were provided by a city girl! Your lady is probably accurate!!!!

[@rudirude4357]

@@GoneAdrift she is from the South. It might be different down there. It would not be more than a thousand or so AUD difference. BTW you are doing great with the vids. Good content and presentation. I enjoy them.

[@chandlerbingbong]

Sam have jai dee 🙏

[@markkuahlamaa770]

Look Nice , But Falang Pay All , then Go to Isan Willage ! You are Walking ATM !

[@fyrothuz9875]

How about snakes in Thailand?

[@tysondoherty]

Do they get cobras out there? Are they a problem?

[@GoneAdrift]

Yes I heard there are Cobras about 🐍 Kept my eyes peeled but no luck

[@brianheard4565]

The 'real' Thailand is where ever you are on Thailand, including the cities you mention. Just as the 'real' UK includes London, and the 'real' US includes New York.

[@lmapicas3279]

You cant be a good bucket of crickets mate they are the best ask any Essan girl

[@GoneAdrift]

Bahahahha

[@johnchandler6474]

American rock🤭Eric Clapton is English. I suppose you also think ac/dc are Australian 😂

[@GoneAdrift]

Yep I cocked that one up didn’t I. My whole life I thought he was American!!!!! 🤣🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[@dannyho6786]

better head back to Pattaya B4U end up in someones soup bowl boy !

[@LUCKHEF]

SAD most if not all these girls will be sent by there family to be bar girls or freelance to support the family but that’s the culture here in “ The Real Thailand “

[@GoneAdrift]

I wrote some voice over to address this but ended up pulling it.

[@evansmusic2009]

@@GoneAdrift Pulling it lol... apologies!! Sabai Sabai comes to mind - the Buddhist/communal live and let live, never judge, etc. but it really depends on the area and connections, etc afaik... Ive met people from all walks of life there, and tbh one young lady I knew and chatted to for a good while online as she was an english teacher wanting to get into a government school job and needed practice - I asked if it was possible to visit Isaan with her..initially she declined because ultra conservative and didnt want to be judged... After some convincing I slept outdoors with a net on their small farm... Interesting experience different than other families I had stayed with... She managed to get the job, married, had a kid, etc... was great to see her evolve... Far from the all too well written about eldest daughter married and kids too young then separate leaving her having to support the kids and parents with little choice but to do whatever work thats available... Its a very tough life for some... Still done honourably but many tourists judge of course... Sabai Sabai is the way for want of better words... Everything will be ok...

[@dekay21]

I think "most or all" is exaggerating, and taking away credit from a lot of isaan girls who do avoid the bar/freelance scene. A lot do, but a lot don't.

[@LUCKHEF]

@@dekay21 I’ve been here 2 years I go off what Thai people tell me and what I see and know 7-10… specially if they have children

[@dekay21]

@BLACKEYETHAI I've been going to isaan for 15 years and l know many isaan girls who have taken different paths. Isaan is a big place, how people you know for 2 years can accurately give a percentage for villages they know nobody.