BURIRAM, NORTHEAST THAILAND

Late January - The rice has been harvested and while there are always things to do on a farm - taking care of the buffalo, growing another crop such as green tea, building a new rice storage shed, etc. - there is now time for a bit of relaxation as well.  The photographs below are from the farm of Dave Zahaychuck from Canada and Fon, his Thai wife, as well as a few from the nearby village.  This is a farming area outside of Buriram known as Huairat.  Many of the people in the locale speak Cambodian as well as Thai.  Buriram is served by PBAir a few times a week only and can be reached from Bangkok in one hour by air.  The area has the stark beauty of Issarn (northeast Thailand) but it is poor and laborers in Buriram's countryside make about 200 baht a day (US$5.75).  Most people in the countryside retire for the evening at seven or eight and get up at five or six.  The town of Buriram now has one local small bar/restaurant and a new Irish pub has opened.  But the nightclub next to the main hotel has closed.  So if you're looking for quiet, the Thai countryside is the place to be.

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