I suppose
Richard...........Isaan is just different, very different, but most seasoned travellers or people that visit a lot of places just adapt to their surroundings for as long as they are in said place.
You being a city-boy, I can imagine how you found it "challenging", but at least you went which is more than most manage. That's the kind of place that a large majority of Thais you meet everywhere come from, and if they aren't then you can be fairly sure that their mothers or fathers probably did, just the kids have done good but this way of life still figures in their lives, look no further than the chaos at the bus stations in Bangkok at New Year or Mittrapard Road (A2) that goes all the way up to the Laos border, absolute chaos for the week.
Trips to Isaan to visit or stay in the village environment need to be properly planned and probable pit-falls considered and assigned possible solutions, forsight is the key to success on that one, like transport, food, shopping (nearest Tesco etc), infrastructure in the place you'll be residing, nearest hotel of worth, and much more regarding these "issues".
Properly thought out or fixed by those that reside there for long lengths of time can make it rewarding and a positive experience which there are many who would agree. It is worth mentioning that almost all Thais that come from the villages aspire to return and live quietly with their families and have little desire to stay in the cities forever, as we all know the problem is money. This does not apply to all of course, but certainly to a disproportionate percentage of them. If you have money and have resolved the problems inherent to this environment then Isaan is fine.
Some of the above is slightly off topic but leads me onto the point relevent to this thread. From what
VS describes above leaves the impression to me that these Thai folks are just village types that have migrated to the city, or have got swallowed up in it because they were in close proximity to it, and are just doing the same as what they would do it the village. Even if the are from the Hua Hin area then if they are from 40-60 age group generation then when they were being brought up 30 or so years ago then most of the Hua Hin are would have resembled pretty much the same as an Isaan village is now, wasn't so long ago. Cities like Hua Hin are magnets for people from the countryside to turn up in and try to make some money.
What you see is basically just simple Thai culture in a western style Thai city with all the bright lights and glitz attached to it but it still shines through. Even in Korat you still see cockerals knocking around screaming, sometimes in the suburban estates, some of them just can't resist themselves.
Wasn't sure whether to put this on the "Isaan" thread or here as the post crossed over both threads, so popped it here.......oh well.
damn that spell checker ...
