@Donald *********
You would know that. The name (half derogatory name for all foreigners, "farang" is a deformation of Thai pronounciation of "French". Thais never forgave the French cutting the state of Laos out of Thailand.
Indeed, Thailand is not a reper of democracy but Thai people are much richer, well off and happier than Lao people.
My daughter, a Thai national, can barely understand Thai in Wang Nam Yen (near Cambodia) or in Korat or Udon Thani.
She would say "I know what is being talked about and what is happening around me".
Isan, instead of calling us "farang" say "buksida".