Ubon Expats

[megan1514]

Hi all,

I'll be in Ubon for a year doing research on expats living here (research for my PhD in anthropology at University of Melbourne). I'm hoping to talk with and get to know a lot of you living in the area. I've only been here one week, but I've already been meeting some nice folks in the city at the usual hangouts!

I'm particularly interested in studying the rural/ village aspect of expat life, so I'm hoping to find a place to stay outside of the city where there are a fair number of westerners residing. If any of you are living in the countryside (permanently or semi-permanently) , perhaps you'd be interested in talking with me about village life and sharing your experiences, etc.?

Because I'm doing ethnographic research, ideally I'll live in the same spot for a year getting to know the place and people really well (through observing, participating (hanging out), some interviews, etc.). Of course this would all be discussed and agreed upon before I included anyone in the study. In other words, don't worry about me using any information without your consent.

I'd love to hear from anyone who'd be willing to talk to me/ be part of the study / offer advice/ etc. You can message me on here, and of course, feel free to ask me any questions! Thank you in advance!

Cheers,

Megan

[kdc1899]

Hello,

You should PM MeMock.

He knows a Thai lady (Kittiya ?? ) who rents a house (houses) well out of town on the road to Amnot Charoen.

Adjacent to one of the houses is an older woman (Aussie or British) who has lived out there in the woods for years.

She would be useful to you if she is willing to chat.

[megan1514]

Thanks for that- I will look into it. I've heard there are a fair number of folks living on the way to/ around Amnat Charoen. Although it seems there are several routes there from Ubon, so yeah, I'll just need to ask around to figure out exactly where. Ta

[bergen]

Thanks for that- I will look into it. I've heard there are a fair number of folks living on the way to/ around Amnat Charoen. Although it seems there are several routes there from Ubon, so yeah, I'll just need to ask around to figure out exactly where. Ta

Meet up at WrongWay or N'Joy on Saturday before 1600 hr and join the monthly Hash run. You'll probably meet some people that might be able to help you...........

[megan1514]

Thanks Bergen- I'll be there! I haven't heard about the run, but I'm quite familiar with Wrong Way and NJoy. So, this coming Saturday?

[bergen]

Thanks Bergen- I'll be there! I haven't heard about the run, but I'm quite familiar with Wrong Way and NJoy. So, this coming Saturday?

Yes Saturday 5th.

[VocalNeal]

The Monthly Hash.

To paraphrase "There is no monthly Hash there is only the Ubon Hash"

Edited March 1, 2011 by VocalNeal

[bergen]

The Monthly Hash.

To paraphrase "There is no monthly Hash there is only the Ubon Hash"

Since I'm not a native English language speaker, I might have said something "not right"??

Your point is??

[VocalNeal]

The Monthly Hash.

To paraphrase "There is no monthly Hash there is only the Ubon Hash"

Since I'm not a native English language speaker, I might have said something "not right"??

Your point is??

Bergen,

Hi. Sorry for the delay I was distracted. You will have to ask Harvey Wallbanger. On On

Edited March 7, 2011 by VocalNeal

[bergen]

The Monthly Hash.

To paraphrase "There is no monthly Hash there is only the Ubon Hash"

Since I'm not a native English language speaker, I might have said something "not right"??

Your point is??

Bergen,

Hi. Sorry for the delay I was distracted. You will have to ask Harvey Wallbanger. On On

Will do next time I see him. That is if I remember.

[bergen]

Thanks Bergen- I'll be there! I haven't heard about the run, but I'm quite familiar with Wrong Way and NJoy. So, this coming Saturday?

Yes Saturday 5th.

Didn't see you on Saturday Megan, so saying "I'll be there" obviously have more than one meaning?

[megan1514]

Thanks Bergen- I'll be there! I haven't heard about the run, but I'm quite familiar with Wrong Way and NJoy. So, this coming Saturday?

Yes Saturday 5th.

Didn't see you on Saturday Megan, so saying "I'll be there" obviously have more than one meaning?

Dear Bergen,

I had full intensions to be at the run Saturday, but a minor altercation at said meeting place (night prior) combined with a five-day accumulated hangover caused change of plans. I hope you understand. I am sorry I missed it and really am looking forward to the next one!

Cheers, M.

[bergen]

Thanks Bergen- I'll be there! I haven't heard about the run, but I'm quite familiar with Wrong Way and NJoy. So, this coming Saturday?

Yes Saturday 5th.

Didn't see you on Saturday Megan, so saying "I'll be there" obviously have more than one meaning?

Dear Bergen,

I had full intensions to be at the run Saturday, but a minor altercation at said meeting place (night prior) combined with a five-day accumulated hangover caused change of plans. I hope you understand. I am sorry I missed it and really am looking forward to the next one!

Cheers, M.

Since you plan to do serious research within the expat community, may I suggest less alcohol, fewer/shorter hangovers and keep your appointments.

This will also get you more accepted by the locals who mostly are non drinking (maybe just a little bit) reliable (but not always) and positive (at least some) people!

[megan1514]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I am quite a reliable and positive person, I must admit that I am not 'non drinking' (in a professional or personal role). I am certainly not drunk and/or hungover every day, but like many other researchers in the same field, I'm entering a particular social scene and becoming necessarily involved in it. Just as the hash run itself centers around beer consumption, so do many other social gatherings (which are good for getting to know people- as you suggested). Once again, I apologize that I didn't make it to the run, but had I known anyone would mind my absence, I most definitely would have fought through tiredness to turn up!

Hope to see you around, M.

[hazman]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I am quite a reliable and positive person, I must admit that I am not 'non drinking' (in a professional or personal role). I am certainly not drunk and/or hungover every day, but like many other researchers in the same field, I'm entering a particular social scene and becoming necessarily involved in it. Just as the hash run itself centers around beer consumption, so do many other social gatherings (which are good for getting to know people- as you suggested). Once again, I apologize that I didn't make it to the run, but had I known anyone would mind my absence, I most definitely would have fought through tiredness to turn up!

Hope to see you around, M.

Somehow i dont think you are ever going to see Megan 1514 but then again i could be wrong.

[janverbeem]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I am quite a reliable and positive person, I must admit that I am not 'non drinking' (in a professional or personal role). I am certainly not drunk and/or hungover every day, but like many other researchers in the same field, I'm entering a particular social scene and becoming necessarily involved in it. Just as the hash run itself centers around beer consumption, so do many other social gatherings (which are good for getting to know people- as you suggested). Once again, I apologize that I didn't make it to the run, but had I known anyone would mind my absence, I most definitely would have fought through tiredness to turn up!

Hope to see you around, M.

Somehow i dont think you are ever going to see Megan 1514 but then again i could be wrong.

You mean that he should change his username to T***L1514?

[Sandgroper1066]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I am quite a reliable and positive person, I must admit that I am not 'non drinking' (in a professional or personal role). I am certainly not drunk and/or hungover every day, but like many other researchers in the same field, I'm entering a particular social scene and becoming necessarily involved in it. Just as the hash run itself centers around beer consumption, so do many other social gatherings (which are good for getting to know people- as you suggested). Once again, I apologize that I didn't make it to the run, but had I known anyone would mind my absence, I most definitely would have fought through tiredness to turn up!

Hope to see you around, M.

Oh, I didn't realise I was a "social researcher" ! That is obviously my excuse for drinking.

Or are you trying to say you have to "drink" because all the people you wish to research are drunks ?

[transam]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I am quite a reliable and positive person, I must admit that I am not 'non drinking' (in a professional or personal role). I am certainly not drunk and/or hungover every day, but like many other researchers in the same field, I'm entering a particular social scene and becoming necessarily involved in it. Just as the hash run itself centers around beer consumption, so do many other social gatherings (which are good for getting to know people- as you suggested). Once again, I apologize that I didn't make it to the run, but had I known anyone would mind my absence, I most definitely would have fought through tiredness to turn up!

Hope to see you around, M.

Oh, I didn't realise I was a "social researcher" ! That is obviously my excuse for drinking.

Or are you trying to say you have to "drink" because all the people you wish to research are drunks ?

Hmmmmmmmmmm yes, all sounds a bit suss to me.

[zzaa09]

UPDATE: So Megan, how's the research progressing?

[jazzbo]

As regards the anthropological study of (mostly male) expats in Ubon or any other place in Isaan, I would have a fundamental disagreement that the research method necessarily involves extensive observation and the interviewing of such expats. The far more revealing information IMHO would be what Thai persons in the proximity of such expats REALLY think of them and their residence amongst the locals...

... and M1514 might be surprised as to what a local might say of XYZ expat in his/her presence and then say maybe just-amongst-us-girls (possibly only in dialect) once the said expat is out of ear-shot.

[MeMock]

Somehow i dont think you are ever going to see Megan 1514 but then again i could be wrong.

Care to elaborate hazman?

[Patriot]

Megan exists!!

[hazman]

Somehow i dont think you are ever going to see Megan 1514 but then again i could be wrong.

Care to elaborate hazman?

Megan exists!!

At the time of my post it seemed that none of the members had ever laid eyes on megan1514 and as i said i could be wrong, and according to patriot it seems i was.

[zzaa09]

Megan exists!!

Well, fill us in!!!

[AliasJohn]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Megan several times. She is a regular in my shop. Be hard to find a nicer person. At the moment she is in Bkk on business. She does exist so I hope that satisfies a few curious ones.

Megan exists!!

Well, fill us in!!!

[hazman]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Megan several times. She is a regular in my shop. Be hard to find a nicer person. At the moment she is in Bkk on business. She does exist so I hope that satisfies a few curious ones.

Megan exists!!

Well, fill us in!!!

My apologies to Megan1514 for doubting your existence.

[megan1514]

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in reply. As John mentioned, I took a trip to Bangkok, and I've been busy getting properly settled in Ubon. I've now been here about a month and have met many nice people living in the area (through various avenues, including Peppers ). Of course, I'm always interested and available to meet new faces (the original purpose of this post), so please be in touch if you'd like to meet up for a chat!

The research has kicked off swimmingly (thanks for yourinterest zzaa09). I've been visiting some people's homes and getting to know them and their families. It's always fascinating to see all the different living situations and milieus of westerners settled here. Part of what is important (and fun) about ethnographic research is not just observing, but also participating in everyday life with 'participants.' This in theory leads to a deeper understanding of people's lives, their relationships (friendship, kinship, marital, etc.) and the things that matter to them (as opposed to only conducting interviews or surveys, for example, which can be quite surfacey).

This also relates to what you mentioned, Jazzbo, about getting to know what the locals think; a crucial point I plan on pursuing and think is important with a study of this kind. Instead of just focusing on one individual, I prefer to get to know their web of social relationships and all those involved (local, foreign, man, woman, etc,). By the way, I came and spoke with you Jazzbo three years ago when I was doing similar research for my MA. Remember me, the fellow Yank, Megan? Hope you're doing well! Was recently thinking of contacting you; would love to hear how you've been.

Thanks to everyone for all the replies (suggestions, doubts, questions and evidence of existence alike). Hope to see you around!

Cheers, Megan.

[highlander403]

hi megan very nice to meet you on lots of ocassions , sorry about the mix up with the trip to the villiage, maybe next year :jap:

just a thought as they say in your school reports can do better ( H H H ) lol

regards scotty

[highlander403]

nice to have met you on many ocassions megan, sorry about the mix up going to the village :jap:

just one thing about the hash as they say in your skool reports could try harder lol

regards scotty