Is there an equivalent of a Bobcat ? It would be super useful for cleaning buffalo/cow stalls

[Rice]

For what it's worth, the standard of living of average folks in the Surin area appears to be considerably higher than it was on my first visit in 1998.

I agree. But there is still that stubborn bunch in the same poverty as in 1998. Lack of opportunity or lack of motivation. It becomes endemic in a family and they drag everyone down to a common denominator over and over.