Chat spent his weekend visiting his grandparents in Udon Thani, a province in Northeastern Thailand, also known as Isan. Early Saturday morning, he helped his grandfather feed the chickens behind the house. The fresh air and wide-open fields made him feel calm, far from the noise of Bangkok.

After breakfast, Chat’s grandmother showed him how to make som tam, a spicy papaya salad. He enjoyed crushing chilies and garlic in the mortar and pestle, watching the flavors blend. Later that afternoon, Chat rode a bicycle along a small dirt road to explore the nearby rice fields. He saw farmers tending to their crops under the hot sun.

In the evening, Chat listened to his grandparents’ stories about their childhood. They reminisced about living close to nature and shared a few folk tales from Isan culture. Chat was amazed by how different life used to be.

On Sunday, before returning home, Chat visited a local temple with his family. He made merit by offering food to the monks and receiving a blessing. Although it was just a short trip, Chat felt grateful for the chance to reconnect with his roots and learn more about his family’s traditions.