Hey!
My name is Dajana and I'm a 18-year-old girl from the US. I'm new here, so I still have to figure everything out. First off: I am in love with Thailand!
I was an exchange student 08-09 in Thailand and spent a year in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand. I really loved it there and I miss it so much, especially my Thai friends from school!
So I got really excited when I found this forum, because I'd love to talk to other Thailand-Fans and share my experiences, and on top of that I'm hoping to get onto a travel to teach program right here in Nong Khai sometime next year.
Anyways, I have a question and I hope that there are some people out there who can help me
Right now, I am a 12th grader in High School and I have to do some sort of assignment for my English class. It has to be an essay about a topic I can choose and it should be between 10-12 pages long.
So I figured Nong Khai, Thailand might be a very suitable topic for me, since I am planning on spending a few years there teaching soon (I hope). The only problem is, that "Nong Khai" as a topic is not detailed enough. Basically, I am looking for an interesting topic that has something to do with Thailand or the area around Nong Khai. Something with an exciting background, that is not just simply the "history" of the place or anything like that. I kinda want an "exotic" topic for this very exotic country So if anyone in here has some really good ideas, I'd be glad to hear them!
Thank you very much

Dajana

and please, could you all refrain from the usual type of response I get like "Why do more men visit Thailand then Women?"

Welcome to the forum Dajana.

Here's a few ideas for your writing studies:

Poverty in urban and rural areas of Nong Khai in the 21st century

The Migration of the Laos people into Nong Khai and Thailand in general.

The tourism crisis and it's effects in the area, although I am sure this would apply more to Thailand as a whole.

And finally, as you're considering taking up a travel to teach program, how about, teaching English as a foreign language in Nong Khai.

Dajana wrote:and please, could you all refrain from the usual type of response I get like "Why do more men visit Thailand then Women?"

Don't worry I am hoping that some of the guys around here are a little more mature with their responses.

Enjoy your stay.

Thanks so much for your ideas Sean, I'm happy that you have got a good understanding of what I am looking for from you guys, let's see what anyone else can suggest.

Thank you also for the warm welcome

I'd write about the incredible, amazing, annual Mekong Fireball Festival that draws tens of thousands of people here every year, "to watch the fireballs rising out of the Mekong from a dragon in the river"!

In Thai, it's called Bang Fai Phayanak, and there's stuff on the Net about it also. Fascinating topic!

Just an idea from the Dude!

Best of luck to you!

Thank you Dude, that is exactly what I am looking for.

Do you know of any helpful resources that would help me along the way?

I have read the information on this forum, but I am sure that there is more to it.
Time for some googling I think

There is plenty of info out there Dajana, google away to your hearts content and you will find more than enough to help get your pen to paper.

I have chosen 2 subject to write on, the Bang Fai Phayanak festival (something that I am looking forward to seeing myself ) and the other topic is a little deeper and on the subject of the Laos people coming into Thailand.

I have found plenty of documentation on both subjects so now I can get started.

Thank you again for your input.

Dajana,
Is your project complete? Recently a tribe from Laos who were refugees, were forced back into Laos. There was a lot of commotion here in Australia. I do not know much about but it would be easy to research and it definitely meets your 'exotic' requirement.
Allan

Hiya eftpos4u,

I have actually picked up on a lot of information relating to the topic you mention and it is "kind of" related to my 2nd choice of the Laos nationals coming into Thailand.

I am still battling my way through the writings, and I'll be more than happy to share them with you all when they are completed, should not be too long now, touch wood

Have fun all!

Dajana