Issan, Northern Thailand

Living around Bangkok with the hustle of people going to and from work using the best of modern equipment and technology it would be hard to believe that just a few miles away life could be so different.

Mukdahan in Isaaan, near the Friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand people still use a tractor like cart to take part of their harvest from place to place. They beat the rice by hand to remove the rice from the tops. Sugar cane is being harvested by hand with machetes one stock at a time. Taro also being harvested without the help of modern equipment. Dug from the ground and cleaned to put into the cart.

Seeing this is humbling, however, with village members helping each other with the harvest the introduction of machinery may spoil the feeling of community you feel the moment you visit there. There are few cars, mostly motorcycles or bicycles. They are aware of life outside their villages but love their life. These are truly happy people.

I have been many places in Thailand, however, this was the most valuable experience ever. People helping people, talking with one another, a feeling of kinship, something you will not feel in the city.

If you get a chance to go to the rural areas be sure and visit with the people, they always welcome visitors. The million dollar smile automatically beams across their faces at the interest you pay to their labors.

After their crops are harvested and taken to the buyers they have a huge party in the streets called Sonkran usually April 13-15. In April the temperature goes to 105 degrees, warmer than I like it.

These hard working people are the core of the country. They feed the Thai people rice, taro and sugarcane.

This is a typical scene families getting together at another families house to visit and contemplate their crops, livestock.

Mukdahan is a unique place. It boarders on the banks of the Mekong River. From there if you are Thai you can catch a boat to Laos. Other nationalities must go to the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River.