Back to basics

The first house that we visited. Ok, just to recap. Why am I in Khon Kaen? Took a freaking 6hr bus ride up to northeast Thailand? To be a busybody and follow a researcher by the name of Meg from NUS. She's doing a research on Thai labour and the effects that it has on the locals. We are now at a place called Nong Khai.

This was the first house that we visited.


Ole skool hammock.




Makes me wanna own a kampung house like this and invite all my friends to chill below my deck while we play guitar and make songs.


This is where they store their water.


She's 78 years old. Life expectancy is high over there. They are Ihsan people. Because of the fact that they are near to the border of Laos, the tendency for a Thai to marry a Laotian is common.



I tried to do a macro.


Very, very friendly people. What I've heard is that, they are the friendliest of Thai in the region. Can't deny that.


Meg got for herself a translator who does freelance work. He's actually a professor from Khon Kaen University. He teaches architecture over there. We call him Ah chan Dong! He's second from right.

Apparently, life for them doesn't change that much when the men goes out to work overseas. There is an influx of men working overseas because of the good pay. But of course, they need to pay fees for admin and visas before they get flown over to their destination. The best working place with the highest pay cut is Korea followed by the States. Apparently, if you work in the States and if you illegally stay there for more than 4 or 6 years, you can actually be a citizen. That's what I heard. Stylo the MiloOoOO.


With the high pay, they can actually upgrade their house and save enough so that their children are able to study as far as they can.

This is her granddaughter. Hopes for her are high with university as the only place for her to break the poverty cycle as soon as possible.


So what happens to those who wants to work overseas but do not have the initial capital? Loan from a rich local there is the way to go. He charges a low interest rate and the people respect and trust him. That is why going to the loan shark or to the bank can be ruled out.


With the head of the family moving out of the house, it was univocal that everybody preferred their son to stay and work in Thailand instead of overseas. It can be quite hard to stay away from your loved ones for too long. Mind you, the workers would stay overseas for 3 years stretch then only would they come back. In the States, you will only go back when you get caught.

Why?

That's because they are working as illegal workers in the first place. Tadaaaaaa!!!!


My friend, Maa.





I was already tired. Queuing up for seafood pattai.


Hungry...


Mother daughter. I love the way the girl bowed and said Sa wad dee kaa. VERY elegant. Respect.


Final photos before heading off for another house.




Dry fish. Hmmm...




I LURVVE MY SHOES. No kidding. I've never loved any shoes in my life. It's very comfortable and street. Snuggles in perfectly. I have happy feet now!



The house of a worker who used to work overseas. It's still under construction.








Resting joint.

Photos of kids.






Where to go now.... Hmmm....

Modes of transportation!


You have the bike with the cart.


You have the bicycle boy.


You have the bike with the umbrella. Umbrella sold seperately.


Must chill as much as I can. What's that?


This, my friend, is where they store their rice. The locals there would work hard in the fields. They don't buy rice. They MAKE their own rice and then consume them.



I see skies are blue, clouds are blue too...


My shoes!!! Love my shoes.


This was the other Thai couple that we interviewed. Not being educated was the only reason why most men ventured out and sacrificed their family for a better future and living conditions. It's sad but true.


Time to head off to the van but surprises seemed to be lurking everywhere.


We were on our way to the van when suddenly a group of lovely ladies beckoned us.



Victimized. Poor me. It's hard being a virtual travel host. Right adri? Lol. Well, can't compare myself with her. She's way beyond iconic. Darn YOU! You wait girl, give me some time. I'll overtake you. -evil laugh-


Nevertheless, a great way to end the day. But before day, videos of some form of food that I tried on my way back.




At the end of the day, these kids would make the difference in determining whether they would stay in that poverty cycle for long. Till then, life is all about having fun and filling up their childhood memories with their neighbourhood friends and dogs.

jamiel
one day in Ihsan