Mr. Wheeler has become a role model in his community and has showed people how to live happily and sufficiently, given the scarcity of natural resources in the area. Whenever a group of visitors come to his door, he and his wife cook and serve Isan dishes with home grown bananas. His speaking fees generate between 15,000 and 30,000 baht a month. Economically he feels that Thai’s are very lucky. Many lost their jobs during the recent economic downturn, however they still have food to eat and houses to life in they also