Bridge to Laos
On the way back from Wat Phra That Phanom, probably the holiest site in northeastern Thailand, we saw this bridge spanning the Mekhong river, to Laos.
There are a couple of interesting things going on here. One is that it's now possible for Thais and Laotians to travel fairly freely back and forth between the two countries. Another interesting point is that most Laotians and northeastern Thais speak essentially the same language (in Thailand they call it Isaan). Both Laos and northeastern Thailand were originally part of a separate kingdom called Lan Sang.
Today, northeastern Thais speak Isaan in their homes. But the official language of public discourse, schools, etc. is standard Thai. Most northeast Thai people are therefore bilingual. Most also are poorly educated, and central Thais often regard them (like Laotians) as country bumpkins. Most young people in the northeast prefer central Thai culture to their own, and frequently leave home to go work in central cities like Bangkok, where they form a giant cheap labor pool that the richer central Thais can draw on.
Most officials in the northeast are central Thais sent by the Bangkok elite to manage the affairs of the northeastern provinces.
When I asked about this, I was told that the northeastern Thais have a defeatist mentality, and willingly accept central Thai control. I feel as though I need to visit more and observe before I can accept this statement. It surprises me.
The situation is complex and interesting, and it certainly doesn't help northeastern Thais that their part of the country is dry, and they therefore can't produce as much in the way of agricultural resources as other areas. Rice can only be planted and harvested, for example, once a year there, and the soil is, in places, very salty.
Oh yeah, there's an elephant in the picture, too.