99% of the people that come to Thailand, never experience Isaan.
Northeastern Thailand or Isaan consists of 20 provinces in Northeastern Thailand.
Isaan is Thailand’s largest region, on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Sankamphaeng Range south of Nakhon Ratchasima
I am not talking about the cities like Udon Thai or Khon Kaen, but the rural villages.
There are many villages in rural Isaan where the nearest stores may be more than 20km away.
The majority of the people in rural Isaan and categorized as extremely poor with an average per capita income of less than US $2,000 a year.
However poor, Isaan people are extremely friendly and helpful. Many are from large families.
People here have limited education and work as manual labors cutting rice and sugar cane. The maximum amount they earn is often less than 300 thb per day, in season when there are crops to be harvested. Other than that, they may travel to other provinces that have work.
A typical house in rural Isaan may look like this. There will be no air-con, running water or even furniture.
Many people in rural Isaan cannot afford cars, so you see a variety of farm vehicles being used for transportation.
With the nearest stores so far away, villagers rely on local markets and make shift restaurants.
Somethings, even I cannot get use to like raw meat hanging out in the open when it is 34c.
The locals bring their goods to the market everyday and sell them. This often their only way to make an income.
Rural Isaan Life is the norm for the majority of the people in Thailand. Without ever visiting Isaan, it is hard to image the vast difference between this life and the city and tourist areas.
However, this is the life for a good majority of the people in Thailand.
It is very slowed paced and things do not change much around here.