Questions from Gram

As you may or may not know, my grandma in Cleveland is following my blog. She has no desire to email but she did see my request for questions from blog readers so here are the questions and my replies!

Q. How many live where you do and who are they?

A. I think Tung Ka Mang is one of the largest outposts in PKWS, and I also think I was told around 100 Thais live here (though more rangers live all over the sanctuary at other outposts). Most of the Thais that live here are male rangers. Since PKWS is a wildlife sanctuary, it is important to protect the plants and animals in the area. Rangers patrol to look for evidence of poaching and to apprehend poachers when they are found, and go out in groups for about a week at the time (living in the forest and patrolling). Khun Kitti recently showed us the new hammocks that the rangers will use for sleeping when they are on patrol- they come with a built-in mosquito net! Some of the rangers have their families here, but many do not because it is a privilege for rangers who have worked here the longest. Some Thais here do research on local wildlife like hog deer, or are research assistants for Team Macaque. Khun Kitti is one of six assistants to the chief, but I am not sure if the other assistants live in Tung Ka Mang or not.

Q. You spoke of Richard in Bangkok. Is he in your group?

A. Yes. I am one of three field assistants for Team Langur; the other two are Richard (from England; picture of us in the longtail boat) and Zach (from the US; picture of us with umbrellas). The Thai rangers on our team are Omnoi and Chet, and the project is run by Carola and Andreas, the two professors from SUNY Stonybrook in the States.

Q. Are there bugs all the time or can you use your hammock? Does repellant work- some better than others?

A. There are bugs all of the time but I still do use my hammock- it is not enough deterrent not to! In the field we use a 20% DEET spray called Sketolene which works, but not for the 7 hours it promises. The flying/biting insects have been pretty bad lately because of all the rain. The insects at Baan Ling aren’t too bad most days, though there are large bees that are attracted to our food and a peculiar-looking flying insect that bites. Leeches are more of an issue- we kill all that we find at Baan Ling but they still breed out by the generator and the firepit where we burn our toilet paper. So far I have just always put on leech socks when I head out that way, though I am the only one who does this. Once the dry season comes the leeches will be less bad but the ticks will be back in full force. We also have ant and termite problems around Baan Ling, though in many instances (i.e. if they are not in the rooms, kitchen, office, or lab) we can let them go on their way without spraying for them.