Isaan Happiness

By Patrick Shaw
Thailand

The Northeastern region of Thailand is one of the most impoverished places in the World and even by Thai standards of income, the Isaan region, as it is also known, is still the poorest in the country. Relying on a largely agrarian economy, the humble folk who live here are often described by the numerous visitors to Thailand as being a very happy and contented people... but how much truth is there to this statement?

Around the world, the level of happiness amongst each countries citizens is becoming more and more an issue for politicians. Recently, a survey based on life expectancy, general health, well being, family and relationship issues etc etc has found that despite the fact that Isaan residents on average only earn 2,700 Dollars a year, they really do appear to be some of the happiest people on Earth.

Why is this the case? In the United Kingdom for example, British citizens enjoy a standard of living that is the envy of much of the world, with a relatively high disposable income, employment protection laws, high employment... yet more and more Britons are making plans to leave their country in favour of other lifestyles in what they perceive to be better societies. Reasons given include long working hours, antisocial behaviour from the youth of Britain, high taxation, a degradation in family values... the list is endless.

As for Thailand and it's Isaan region (some describe Isaan as being so different from the rest of Thailand, it might as well be a different country), traditional values, cultural cohesion, very strong and close relations with their families, strong community spirit, and a sufficiency economy are just some of the many reasons why Isaan people seem much more content with their lives.

Thailand is often marketed as the 'Land of Smiles' but is this really justified in modern Thailand? While still a borderline third world country, Thailand has made huge economic and social leaps in the last couple of decades, and Bangkok in particular has made a headlong leap into embracing more and more Western values and concepts of society and behaviour. Expatriates who have a long term memory of Thailand and the changes it has gone through often state that it's not the happy, smiling country it once was, as more and more western companies establish a presence in the country and bring their work ethic and values with them. Many point to surveys that claim places such as Vietnam or the Philippines appear to be happier and more friendly these days.

One thing's for sure, the Isaan region is a curious blip on the worlds happiness radar and having spent several years living in Isaan myself, there is no doubt in my mind that they are generally very happy, friendly people. They must be doing something right.