Randy Singer, a grad student studying ichthyology, traveled to Thailand with a team of researchers in search of loaches — a type of bottom-feeding fish.
His crew loaded up in a van equipped with a karaoke system, and headed south in the pouring rain.
The sun emerged as they arrived in Southern Thailand, and Singer's team found what they thought was the perfect place to begin collecting.
The trip was quickly derailed by angry locals, a wedding for the magistrate's son and a near-death encounter in a national park.
Randy talks with our host, Taylor Williams, about his team's unbelievable journey through Thailand. He also explains the difference between "fish" and "fishes."
Subscribe to Unvarnished on iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn and Stitcher to keep up with bi-weekly episodes featuring local storytellers.