Foreigners in Thailand are commonly referred to as ‘falang’ around here.
Sometimes the term is used generically. For instance, two days ago when I was driving back from the store with my neighbour we passed some Thai tourists in the park who exclaim “Oooo Falang” as I drove by them. Other times the term is not used very politely since the main purpose of the term is to discriminate those (with lighter skin colour) who are different from Thai people.
Today, I went with Chaleam and Surasack (the two guys I work with day-to-day) to a city 3 hours away, so they could pick up their payments for the past month. (Though it took us 5 hours to get there, after 2 stops for directions and a series of amusing conversations that repeated “I remember this” “I don’t remember this” and “Turn left” “No go straight!”). On the way back, we discussed my falang status. They told me that since I can speak Thai and everyone knows me, now I am a Thai person. They said now it's more like they are my older brothers and I am their little sister.
So no more being called a falang…that’s pretty cool.
All too often students begin fieldwork full of anticipation and high hopes for big adventure, only to end up burned out and on their way home within a month. This has inspired me to write a post about what it takes to survive primate behavioural research for people who may be considering taking this "road less traveled by" in the future. I won't water it down for you; primate research is not for everyone. Fieldwork is an uphill road, overloaded with obstacles that will test your personal strength every step of the way. (Perhaps there's a reason we opted to leave the forest and culture up our lives, oh so many years ago :). But if you've got what it takes to push yourself beyond the comforts of the average everyday world, and you're interested in finding out just how strong an individual you really are, then studying primates is one of the most inspirational and rewarding jobs available! Think you've got what it takes? Here are my tips for what it...
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