Surving Songkran

Songkran in Issan

 I have just survived  another Songkran, this time in Buriram province. For those of you that don't know, Songkran is the Thai new year festival. It happens in mid April, some provinces vary but it's usually about the 12th-15th. 

 Songkran is probably the worlds biggest water fight and booze fest. On every street there will be people whose sole purpose in life is to get you wet, whether you ae walking or doing 60kph on your motorbike. In Bangkok there are many rules and regs regarding Songkran, but everywhere else it's carnage.

 In my town the mornings are reserved for Buddhist ceremonys, about lunchtime the drinking begins, the centre of town is where the party kicks off. Young and old prepare to do battle, with water and baby powder. After a couple of hours of heavy lubrication things start to get a bit too friendly and I tend to slope off before the obligatory fights begin.

 In the evenings there will be plenty more parties at peoples homes or sometimes at bars and restaurants. This will be the same pattern for the next four or five exhausting days. Some people love Songran, but others don't. I have a few friends who even leave the country for a week to avoid it. I myself really enjoy most of it, the drinking is fun the partys are fun and for a couple of days even the water fights are fun.

 There is always plenty of traffic accidents during this time, mostly due to the alcohol. If possible stay off the roads during Songkran, and be careful of kids determined to soak you whilst on your motorbike.

Living in Issan

Living in Issan

The people

Friendly, welcoming and a little bit mad. When you first turn up there will be plenty of stares but soon nearly everyone you meet will want a little chat with you.  Unfortunately the level of English is pretty low, so you'll have to brush up on your Thai language skills. Just the basics will do, although if you want to eat some great food it would be advisable to learn some Thai dishes, as you won't find any foreign language menus. 

Drink

Issan people like to drink, especially the men. It seems to be the main hobby for a lot of people. Thai whiskey is high up on the drinks menu, although at a push anything will do. The main Thai whisky is Hong Thong, it's strong and cheap and after a period of adjustment not that poisonous. Usually drunk with soda water and ice it's a pleasant enough way to spend an evening.

Leo is the most popular beer, it's not the cheapest but it's the first choice for Issan. An evening with Leo is great but the following day can be struggle. 
More about alcohol here- beer and whiskey in Issan

Issan ladies and others

Some of the most beautiful girls in Thailand (my opinion) come from Issan. Much has been said and written about Issan girls, not much of it positive. This area is mostly poor farmers, and some girls consider foreigners a rich source of income, but don't tar them all with the same brush. There are some wonderful, hard working, professional ladies here. You just have to spend a bit of time finding them. 
More about Thai Ladies here- Thai ladies

Working

There is not a great deal of work for a foreigner in Issan. The big cities have a few opportunities, but most of the region is small farming villages. Harvesting rice for 300 Baht/day will not appeal to most people. Teaching is the only real option here, there's plenty of schools and most of them will require at least one white skinned individual. 

More about working in Thailand here- working in Thailand

Accommodation

Getting a room is easy, getting something nice where you don't have to squat takes a bit more time, especially if your town is out in the boon-docks. There is usually a few basic hotels about until you can find something suitable. Depending on how much luxury you need, decent rooms or small houses can be rented for 3-4000 Baht, anything bigger or better will have to built. For those expats with plenty of money and time this is no problem, for the rest of us it is but a dream.

Nightlife

Depending on where you are the evenings entertainment varies from great foreign run bars and clubs to a plastic stool outside a hut. Most of the entertainment is in the big cities, Korat, Khon kaen etc. For those dwelling in the sticks, the options are very limited. I live in a fairly small town and a late opening restaurant is the most happening place in town, unfortunately it also becomes a karaoke bar.... Drunk Thai people wailing at full volume only adds to the ambience.