This small Thai child lives in rural Isaan.
His parents survive on less than 70,000 thb (US $2,000) per year from doing manual work cutting rice and sugar cane. When there is no work (out of season), surviving on <2,000 thb a month.
His house has no running water or air con, no furniture or appliances.
He sleeps on the floor on a mat.
He has no toys, books, or anything.
This is in 2023.
There are still large areas of rural Isaan where poverty is the norm and always will be.
The cycle goes on and on.
Uneducated parents, raise kids that go on to be nothing more than farm laborers because that is all they know.
A small percentage may finish school and go on to something, but not many.
Small rural schools lack computers, internet and anyone speaking English.
This is a happy boy that is too young to understand he will never have anything.
He will be happy with nothing until he gets older and learns about things, things he will want and not be able to afford.
It is a vicious cycle but somehow these kids grow up and survive.
This the realism of rural Isaan.
