The Bangkok Podcast

Ooooh, topical! This week, Greg and Ed discuss the unique role of teachers in Thai society, where educators occupy a uniquely reverential role, often in stark contrast to western countries, where it is 'just another job.' Ed notes that the issue of how teachers are treated is near and dear to his heart, given that he has spent the last twenty years teaching Thai students. But Ed makes clear that (in his opinion) there's a contradiction between the type of independent-minded graduates that Thailand would like to create and a traditional education system that requires this level of reverence for teachers. It's almost as if critical thinking and independent thought actually depend on disobedience (at least a little anyway). Greg reads an interesting passage on the history of Thai education that notes that monks originally worked as teachers, which leads to his theory that some of the extreme respect afforded monks was transferred to the concept of "a teacher" as they split off into their own profession. Ed concurs and adds that Chinese culture is steeped in Confucianism's reverence for social hierarchies, and Thailand likely was affected by the spread of Chinese culture across Asia. Either way, there's no need to listen to us - the Thai students protesting now are pretty much saying the same thing! We also take a listener voicemail all about the best pizza in Bangkok! We're not experts, but our friends at BK Magazine have something to add. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

First, we want voicemails from our listeners! Become a friend on LINE (scan the QR Code below) and send us your thoughts, greetings, or an awesome joke. In a great show for economics nerds and anyone just interested in how the Thai economy is faring, Dr. Jessica Vechbanyongratana returns to discuss the Thai economy during the pandemic and what - if anything - we can do to help the recovery. Spoiler: not much Beginning with anecdotes of how economists were already predicting a bad 2020 at the end of 2019, Greg and Jessica get into just how badly the economy is doing with stats on some of Thailand's major sectors. On top of that, the Thai GDP is down 12% and meets the official definition of a recession. Unemployment numbers look a little better but are difficult to evaluate due to Thailand's very large informal economy. Next, Greg and Jessica get into the Thai government's response to the worsening economy and the good and bad moves they have made, from efforts to reduce interest rates on loans to attempts to boost domestic tourism. Jessica gives good marks to the Thai government for doing what they can, but jeez...it's a nearly impossible situation. Last, Greg presents questions from our listeners for Jessica, from issues relating to the Thai central bank to comparisons between the current crisis and the 1997 'Tom Yum Goong' economic calamity. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

After a brief intro explaining the podcast's decision to accept advertising (within strict guidelines), Greg and Ed jump into a topic important to anyone travelling to Thailand: What are the most important Thai laws to know? Ed gives a quick lawyerly disclaimer: don't rely on this podcast to make important decisions, but instead just use it as a guideline to do your own research and talk to a real lawyer. :) Next, Greg and Ed bring up 'the enforcement problem': as regular podcast listeners well know, many Thai laws are not frequently enforced or enforced haphazardly. On this show, however, we focus on laws that are usually or maybe even always enforced. In other words, knowing them has actual practical value during your stay in Thailand. In total, the guys go through ten categories of laws, ranging from the obvious but important, such as not criticizing the monarchy, to lesser known but equally valuable, such as the high fines for littering that have ruined many a visitor's day, or what the increasing number of drone operators should know before whipping out their, uh, gear. Suffice it to say, there's a lot more good info on the show, so listen in and up your Thai legal knowledge. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Jarrett Wrisley and Chalee Kader, well-known and successful restaurateurs in Bangkok. After quick bios, they begin by dispelling some myths about the restaurant business and explaining some of the harsh realities of competing in a big city such as Bangkok. Even during good times, it's a tough business, but during the COVID era it is nearly impossible. Greg and the guys discuss strategies for surviving and how to bring customers back when things improve. There are also some great stories about genuine Wagyu beef cattle in Isaan (true story) and sourcing Nordic-bound rice from ex-communist farmers. Greg then asks about the changing tastes of Thai people, and the two experts discuss at length the nuances of the expanding Thai palette. Last, the guys try their best to explain all the 'ingredients' that go into a successful restaurant experience, and although it would be great if it was always about the food, in fact many variables are at play. Our guests are two of the not-very-many business people who have figured them all out in Bangkok. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed continue their 'Seven Deadly Sins' series with LUST - yep, we go there. Well, figuratively, anyway. On the record, the guys don't actually recommend that you visit any of the red light districts in Bangkok - there are so many more interesting things to do in the city that aren't as...potentially icky. But let's be honest - they remain a huge draw, and if you live here long enough, you'll eventually end up at one of them. Topics include where to go, how to behave, what to do, what not to do, and in general, what to watch out for while still having a good time. Whether you are an actual fan of these 'adult' districts, just curious, or a long-term expat who might agree or disagree with our take, have a listen so you can avoid the 'noob' mistakes that Greg and Ed may have, hypothetically, made. (OK, we did.) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Ed interviews Putsawan 'Poy' Tipsakorn, a friend and former student of his who did an exchange year in the U.S. while in high school. Ed and Poy begin with her background in a small town in Nakhorn Ratchasima province and her conservative all-girls school and how she got the idea to go to the States in the first place. From there the story moves to upstate New York, where she met her host family and dove right in, making friends in marching band and choir. The academic transition was more difficult, and she had to quickly improve her English and adapt to American customs. Listen in for some classic funny 'clash of cultures' stories. Thankfully, Poy thrived in the US, but eventually had to head back home. Classic reverse-culture shock followed, as she had to work to fit back into her own culture. She and Ed discuss what happened upon her return, and her decision to study in an international program for university in Bangkok, which is where she learned even more details about her second home from Ajarn Ed. Follow Poy on Instagram here! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This week Greg interviews Khun Voranai Vanijaka, a well-known Thai journalist, social commentator, and founder and editor-in-chief of Thisrupt.co, an English language website and social media enterprise that focuses on social and political issues in Thailand. Khun Voranai explains his unique background as a Thai man who grew up in Austin, TX, and also that Thisrupt is currently self-funded by him, but that he is negotiating with investors. He and Greg next elucidate Thisrupt's vision: politics, society, and economics are really all just aspects of culture, and Thisrupt's goal is to focus on all facets of 'Thainess.' After Greg asks about the site's edgy content, Voranai contends that it is a journalist's duty to 'push the envelope' and not simply be PR for the government. He explains that a society cannot improve without first being able to speak and generate dialogue on a topic, and he insists that he will not be cowed in bringing up sensitive issues. They also discuss Thailand's changing younger generation and the impact of new technology and social media on Thai society. As Voranai states, he doesn't like Thailand's past or present, but he's looking forward to its future. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

After a very strange intro in which Greg extols the virtues of a mind-numbingly happy Finnish folk tune, we get into the main episode, which comes in two parts. First, Greg interviews his friend Yining, who is just finishing a two week quarantine after returning to Thailand from Singapore. She explains the quarantine process in Bangkok, her COVID test (which came back negative, as expected), her hotel accommodations arranged by the Thai government (but that she had to pay for), and how she's amused herself over the nearly two weeks spent alone. In short, it was no party, but Yining has gotten through it OK. In the second half, Greg and Ed give advice to anyone in Yining's situation (or actually anyone stuck at home during a lockdown), who is looking for recommendations for a book to read or a movie, documentary or series to watch. From Vikings to video games to the skinny on Buddhism, the guys' recommendations are shockingly insightful and arguably life-changing to anyone who follows up on them. We may be biased. Listen to the show to find out exactly what they all are. :) We also do a special Patron shoutout to our buddy Nicholas, and announce that we've donated $100 to a school he used to teach at, the Karenni Social Development Center in Mae Hong Son province. Can you join us in showing this great organization some love? As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed interview Florian, an old friend of Greg's and coincidentally the occupant of Greg's old apartment in Chinatown with a beautiful view of the Chao Phraya River. Florian is a man of many talents, but this interview focuses on his multi-year project to build a modern house in the jungles of Mae Hong Son province, in northwestern Thailand. Many expats dream of building a house in Thailand, but Florian has actually done it, and not just any old house either. His house is essentially in the middle of the jungle, off of both the water and power grids. Solution: solar power! Florian explains the entire process from conception to research to designing the building, with many pitfalls and close calls along the way. Although considerable sweat and tears have gone into the project, you'll be surprised at the relatively modest cost of such a unique house. If you really want to follow along at home, Florian even kept a blog of the entire process, with plenty of photos. And since you're a patron, we'll include a few photos of the completed house below. To top it off, Florian is making his house available on AirBnB, so you can even check it out yourself! Unfortunately, due to COVID, flights and rental in Mae Hong Son are a bit unpredictable, but if you want more info, send us an email and we'll put you in touch with Florian. But when the situation improves, consider a jungle adventure in Thailand for your next holiday - be it from overseas or just from Bangkok. On Love Loathe or Live With, Ed tests Greg with a question about receipts, which makes him pine for this great bit by the late, great Mitch Hedburg. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a new series cooked up by Greg's evil brain, the guys explore Bangkok through the prism of the Seven Deadly Sins. Each of the seven shows (not in a row, thankfully) will see the guys pick one of the sins and discuss how it relates to their own experience in Bangkok. Starting with the Sin of Pride, Greg and Ed each come up with a few things that make them proud to call Bangkok home. From history and architecture to musical talent and one very specific bit of food, Greg and Ed discuss the little things that they never forget to show off to Bangkok n00bs - things that make them say, "You're goddamn right Bangkok rules, and this is why!" As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This is Part 2 of Greg's interview with Dan Fraser, an old friend, Thai TV star, and owner of adventure travel company Smiling Albino. Continuing their conversation, Dan talks about the challenges of transitioning from a business manager 'control freak' (his words) to a TV entertainer whose role is mostly to be the goofy foreigner having crazy experiences in Thailand. The key is finding his inner child and having faith in his producer to watch his back and make the kind of show that the producer wants. Although it might not always work out how he wants it to... From cultural mishaps to running to catch planes to eating a wild variety of food - from 'orgasmically delicious' (his words) to 'vile and violent' (also his words). An example of the latter would be lightly steamed 'gooey swamp toads.' Suffice it to say that someone picky about what they eat could never do Dan's job on the show! Last, Greg asks Dan about any lessons he has learned about Thai culture being on the show, and, with a laugh, Dan points out that being on the show taught him that he really knew very little about the real Thailand, even though the show began after he had already been an expat for 10 years. It's a great lesson for foreigners in Thailand: almost all of us know far less about the country we call home than we think. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Renaissance-Expat Extraordinaire Dan Fraser, an old friend of both Greg and Ed and a former guest of the podcast in season 1. As both the star of a Thai TV show called 'Long Ruk Yim' and the owner of Smiling Albino, a high-end adventure travel company, Dan is afforded some really unique opportunities for understanding Thai culture, and seeing things from the inside. Among the topics discussed in this episode - part 1 of a two-part show - Dan discusses the difficulties involved in filming a television show where he must explain his adventures in Thailand, in Thai to a Thai audience, and the logistics of putting a weekly show together while running a mid-size company with a few dozen staff. He also goes into detail on some of the incredibly awkward situations that he often finds himself in while filming, and how he uses them as tools to better understand Thai culture. Suffice it to say, if Greg and Ed have had 'interesting' lives in Thailand, Dan has had something that's hyper-super-mega interesting. Approximately. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

We return to our Thai history series with a fascinating look at the role that several Thai cannons played in some important historical events. First, with the help of a cool blog on Thai history from our friend Ken Lohatepanont, Greg tells the story of some silver cannons gifted by King Narai of Siam to Louis XIV of France. It turns out that during the world-changing storming of the Bastille in 1789, those very same cannons were used by the revolutionaries to bring down the notorious prison. Who would have thought that Thai military equipment would play such a key role in world history? Next, Greg tells the story of two large cannons, known as Seri Negara and Seri Pattani, used by the southern Sultanate of Pattani. When Pattani eventually challenged Siam and lost, the Thai King seized the cannons as spoils of war. Alas, one ended up at the bottom of the sea, but the other is on display in front of the Thai Ministry of Defense to this day. Last, Greg relates the use of cannons by the famous Thai developer Nai Lert to mark the boundaries of his property that borders Sukhumvit and Wireless Road. The concrete remains can still be seen today outside of Central Embassy shopping mall. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

It's an extra-long show this week as Greg interviews Jessica Vechbanyongratana, a professor at the faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, about the numbers that make up Thailand's economy. Beginning with Thailand's notable jump up the list of countries with the biggest inequality gap, Jessica explains the methodologies and data that led to the change - although as she mentions, depending on what data you look at during what year, Thailand may not necessarily be any more unequal than a country like the United States. Next, they tackle the question of the minimum wage and the average monthly income of residents of Bangkok vs other areas of Thailand, with Greg drawing an interesting analogy between that and Napoleon Dynamite (you see, Bangkok - like Napoleon Dynamite - tends to throw a bomb into many predictive models). The two also cover how teaching is considered a really good job in Thailand, how Jessica's students are usually overly optimistic about the wages they'll earn upon graduation, and finish with an addendum - recorded just the other night - on the devastating effect the Coronavirus is having on Thailand. And don't miss our patron Thomas' sweet DJ sets on Twitch! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Inspired by a great post on a Thisrupt, the topic is counterfeit goods. Most people are aware that all types of counterfeit goods are available for sale in Thailand, whether it is watches, handbags, DVDs, or software. Greg and Ed trade stories about how Thailand allowed them to embrace counterfeit culture in their early days of living in Thailand, simply because it was so cheap, so readily available, and 'everybody was doing it.' The boys talk over some reasons why pirated goods are more common in Asia, and Greg recounts visiting the Museum of Counterfeit Goods at a prominent Bangkok law firm. But as technology advanced, markets matured, and Greg and Ed got older, they both now see the value in (most) intellectual property, and happily pay more for the real deal. Thailand seems to be heading in the right direction at least. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Khun Natapanu Nopakun, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You've probably seen him on TV - he's the guy who gives English language updates of what's going on with the Thai government, and especially the coronavirus situation. Khun Natapanu begins by explaining exactly what his job is - giving info on foreign affairs to both foreigners and Thais in English. Interestingly, his job is not just to interpret or translate the normal Thai public affairs information into English, but to select and in some cases add information that is more relevant to foreigners. In short, Khun Natapanu crafts Thai government news to better fit a foreign audience. Simply put, there's stuff foreigners need to know that Thais don't, and vice versa. While we've long held the belief that expats in Thailand really SHOULD speak Thai, we really appreciate any English language info we can get, so it's good news that Khun Natapanu explains that this is actually very much on the roadmap of the Thai government - not just for expats in Thailand but also for the global community in general. We also get some insight into how the MFA and other government agencies are structured, the daily schedule Khun Natapanu and his team must stick to, and even if he's ever had any pressure to alter or censor his briefings (spoiler alert: nope). Learn more about Covid in Thailand on Thai PBS, or watch Khun Natapanu's briefings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the MFA Facebook page. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

When you are a kid, you are taught to look on the bright side of everything. In that spirit, Greg and Ed search for any possible positives in their lives as a result of the lockdown (which, generally speaking, SUCKS). Ed begins by noting that his relative lack of social life has given him more freedom to experiment with his diet, which consequently resulted in him losing 5 kilos. Greg notes that the increased time home has meant more bonding with his son and many priceless moments that otherwise might not have happened during more normal times. Next, Ed notes the rather mundane but still meaningful fact that while staying home, he simply spends less money. At the end of the month, there's actually money left in his account! You can't argue with that. Greg then brings up the convenience of finally being able to fix troublesome aspects of his condo, those little niggly things that bother you for years cause you are too busy to focus on them. Well, thanks to the lockdown, he can tamp down that annoying nail that sticks up from the floorboard! Last, Ed appreciates the new restaurants and food he has discovered while searching for food to order for delivery. With most restaurants closed to walk-in customers for most of the last two months and an unfinished kitchen, delivery has been a godsend. For Greg, his extra time hanging out in his condo has allowed him to meet and get to know more of his neighbors. Little did he know, there's actually a cool community of peeps that's been right under his nose this whole time. :) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

You know how foreigners aren't allowed to be tour guides in Thailand? Well guess what - there's an interesting little loophole to that, and it's a great opportunity to get to know Thai culture in a very real way. Greg interviews Dr. Peter Hufschmid-Hirschbuehl (hereinafter referred to as 'Dr. Peter' for obvious reasons), the President of the National Museum Volunteers, the only museum that allows foreigners to train and work as tour guides. The training program provides a quite extensive background in Thai culture, and many go through the program just for the education. Once finished, graduates lead tours in English, German, Japanese and French. Dr. Peter goes into detail on the National Museum, highlighting both its positives and negatives, and relates insights into its collection and what it says about the Thai culture, and the artistic and creative things that it's produced over the millenia. Dr. Peter then explains the training program, which involves quite a few hours of work, and has a nuanced focus depending on where the tour groups are coming from (for example, the French have a very different history in Southeast Asia than the British or the Germans or the Japanese). All in all, the National Museum should be on the itinerary of any tourist to Thailand, and the guide program should be on the list of any expat with an interest in Thai culture. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed tackle the complex question of privacy in Thailand, especially as it compares to privacy back home. But there are lots of types of privacy, so what do we mean? Firstly, as an expat, you live in a kind of bubble of privacy anyway - often left alone and largely cut off from the Thai-language media, which only increases the sense of privacy. Second, Thai culture is famously indirect, with Thais tending to be less confrontational about a person's private life, so from a social and cultural perspective, you might say there is more privacy here. BUT! But...Ed contends that, from a legal perspective, there is overall less privacy in Thailand. Does it balance out? Greg - a noted non-lawyer - agrees to some extent, but says that while Thais may be indirect, they also love to gossip (just ask his neighbors). All of this on top of the fact that the Thai gov't can pretty much access whatever it wants and has used the pandemic to increase the stickiness of its fingers, means Greg thinks that we all need to be careful about what, when, and to whom we say anything. Listen in as we go into detail on all of the above. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

The topic is a bit morbid but these are strange times - Greg interviews polyglot and podcast favorite Stu Jay Raj on the roots of the Thai language as they pertain to pain and medicine. They begin trading stories over the fiendishly tricky (for Westerners anyway) pronunciation of the Thai language, and the often hilarious (and obscene) mistakes that can happen, with Stu explaining that (roughly) Sanskrit and Pali are to Thai what Latin and Greek are to English. Stu explains most formal Thai words, especially scientific and academic ones, come from Sanskrit and Pali. This segways into a discussion of how to interact with medical personnel in Thailand, and all the different Thai words for discussing pain and sickness. Stu emphasizes that Thai words can have double meanings, being positive in one context but negative in another, which turns into a discussion on the Thai words for excrement (really!), which are kind of important to get right, if you think about it. :) Last, Stu gets into the physical differences of pronouncing various sounds to explain Thais' difficulty in saying various English words. It turns out that pain works in both directions! Don't forget to check out Stu's excellent book Cracking Thai Fundamentals! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed recorded a show that goes in-depth on Thailand's alcohol ban and whether or not it makes sense as a way to combat the coronavirus. What they did NOT count on was the ban being lifted 3 days AFTER they recorded the show! No worry - it's still a very relevant discussion. First up, the boys try to give the ban the best spin possible - does it really help reduce irresponsible partying - social gatherings in large groups where people are not wearing masks or social distancing? Next they discuss a WHO report in Europe that supported alcohol bans on the grounds that alcohol causes multiple diseases that increase the lethality of the virus. Finally, the guys consider another side-effect of the ban - with many people stuck at home, women with abusive spouses may suffer increased attacks with alcohol easily available. The boys weigh each argument, accepting that each point must be true at least to some extent. But for each of them, multiple holes appear. Why can't alcohol sales continue but no drinking in bars or big groups? Doesn't it take time for alcohol to cause disease (or for not drinking to cure it)? And can't the absence of alcohol enrage domestic abusers even more? There are not one-size-fits-all solutions here. Greg also notes an excellent email from a reader on the logic of sympathy for the hundreds of thousands of people in Thailand who are dependent on alcohol to function properly. And last, Ed notes that the massive impact to small and medium businesses in Thailand might not be worth it in the long run. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Phil Jablon, a true connoisseur of Southeast Asia's old movie theaters and author of the fantastic book Thailand's Movie Theaters: Relics, Ruins, and the Romance of Escape. As noted on the show, you can order from the Amazon link above, but if you would like a free vintage movie theater ticket as well, reach out to Phil on his Facebook page and order his book there. Phil grew up a movie lover but developed an interest in older, stand-alone movie theaters as they began to fade away in the States. In 2008, he started a blog where he documented old movie theaters he found on his travels in Thailand, and eventually, all of Southeast Asia. Phil discusses his research methodology, which basically consists of showing up in small towns across the country and asking people about the history of theaters there. Phil notes that something as specific as the history of movie theaters in a small town actually reveals quite a lot about how Thailand has changed over the years, both economically and culturally. Greg draws a parallel between the role temples play in local Thai communities, and Phil concurs that theaters, at least in the past, were meeting places for all kinds of events in small Thai towns. Greg and Phil also discuss their mutual appreciation for Thai movie posters, which were often hand-drawn by local Thai artists because foreign productions rarely produced marketing materials for the Thai market. And naturally, Phil's book includes plenty of photos of Thai posters for classic Western films. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This week is a dose of keeping it real: What are some common beliefs about Thailand that Greg and Ed just don't buy? Ed starts off with a fairly nuanced point: many people think of Thailand as a very religious country because of so many outward signs of Buddhist culture, whether it's temples, monks, or statues that Thais are very respectful of. However, Ed argues that in general Thais are not very pious: alcohol consumption, gambling, and infidelity are quite common throughout Thailand. Greg walks equally risky territory by claiming that although Thais definitely smile a lot, the moniker 'Land of Smiles' has succeeded too much in that it has convinced many foreigners that all Thai people have nothing but hearts of gold. Unfortunately, scammers, as well as straight-up thieves, regularly target foreigners, and it is best to be as wary in Thailand as you would be in any country around the world. Ed next contends that those who view Thailand (and more specifically the city of Pattaya) as sleazy places in general are very mistaken. Although prostitution does exist throughout Thailand, most of it is in isolated areas and not apparent in day to day life. Although Ed and Greg don't see eye to eye on Pattaya, Greg concurs that most of Bangkok and Thailand are very family-friendly. Last, Greg refutes those who think of Bangkok as a dirty, third-world city. Considering the unorganized, chaotic mess that Bangkok is, it's surprisingly clean, with garbage showing up only temporarily before being swept away by the city's ubiquitous street cleaners. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

First of all, a public service announcement: Our friend Adam is coordinating a project to get soap, disinfectant, and food to some of Bangkok's poorest communities. Just 300 THB provides supplies for a family of 4. We donated 2,000THB - can you match or or beat us? Head here for more info. As everyone is now dealing with isolation and minimalist living in a way they never had to before, Greg interviews our returning-est guest Phra Pandit on the day to day life of a monk. From Phra Pandit's austere lodgings - a bare 3m by 4m room, including little more than a few appliances, books, and a sleeping mat - Phra Pandit reminisces about his early days after ordination, when his only link to the Western world was BBC World which he had to delicately find on a shortwave radio. Eventually he found his way into a Thai university for monks where he studied psychology (in Thai) as an undergraduate. That followed with a long stint as a Master's student, largely to maintain an education visa. Phra Pandit reveals that although there's a separate process for foreign monks, they largely have to deal with as much bureaucracy to get visas as other foreigners do. Just because you wear the robes does not mean you get special treatment from the government. Greg and the Venerable Pandit also discuss a monk's social life and even the rivalries and cliques that form in a temple, the eventual goal of a person who joins the monkhood, the rules (and un-rules) that monks are expected to follow - and what happens when a monk wants out. Phra Pandit finishes with some examples of those who left the monkhood, thinking they wanted a 'normal' life with a wife and family, only to hit 'ctrl-z' and become a monk again! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In their continuing effort to find something to talk about besides coronavirus, Greg and Ed decide to compare the current crisis to the past crises that they have lived through in their combined 38 years in Thailand. This is their first pandemic but they have survived coups, floods, assassinations, curfews, and violent protests that have shut down huge parts of the city. So how does today compare? Well, first Ed notes that the oddest thing about the 2006 coup - the first for both Greg and Ed - was how un-tense and untroubling it seemed throughout the city. Greg agrees that the weirdest thing about it was trying to figure out how unbothered Thai people seemed to be about it. However, the countless protests that occurred between the two coups (2006 and 2014) were a different story. The guys trade stories about the unsettling nature of large mobs that at one moment can seem tranquil and in another menacing, whether it be just a sense of impending danger or an actual gunfight. The boys also reminisce about their many flood experiences, from 'the big one' in 2011 and 2012 that led to Greg postponing his wedding to the many smaller ones that required Ed to wade down his soi to make it to his office for work. Of course, none of those events is exactly like the present crisis and the boys wrap up with a discussion of what makes the current lockdown unique. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Dr. Daniel Kertesz of the World Health Organization, to confirm, deny, or simply explain in better detail some of the information that's going around about the COVID-19 pandemic. It certainly is a strange time we're living in. Beginning with questions about herd immunity and information gathering, Daniel explains that above all, we must be humble given the lack of information we have about this particular virus. This is not surprising, considering that the world barely knew anything about it only a few months ago, but still...we are incredibly well positioned to adapt and overcome. Daniel notes that a huge number of minds are focused on the problem around the world, and that disease researchers are much more connected than they were in the past. This new medical landscape allows data to travel faster and hopefully will lead to a vaccine. The big question, of course, is how long this will take...and at what cost. Next, the guys discuss Daniel's two decades with WHO in Africa, the extent to which that continent is ready for coronavirus, and what lessons Daniel took from his time there that he and his time can apply in Thailand. The big question is - is Thailand on the right path to stamping this thing out? Daniel opines on the country's preparedness plan and gives them an overall passing grade, but notes - most importantly - that we are all still learning about this virus. There are models that predict all kinds of endings, but when the day is done, all we can do is listen, learn, and do what we think is best based on previous experience. With that in mind - stay home, wash your hands, and do your part to ensure that we can all come out of this smarter and better prepared. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Taking a personal turn thanks to an idea from Wes, one of our patrons, Greg discusses his dating experiences in Thailand and what it's like to be married to a Thai woman. From early dating stories as a clueless n00b to strange stories of getting used to Thai culture Greg (and Ed!) both start off with a few funny stories Next, Greg tells the story of meeting and eventually marrying his wife. Their story was a traditional one of a dinner with several groups of friends, a flirty Greg...and the rest is history as they say. Greg gives his thoughts on how we, as foreigners, must be flexible in everything from dating to having kids, to building relationships with the parents...luckily, Greg's wife (and her family) are pretty open-minded and reasonable about his weird western ways. Finally, the boys try to piece together some advice to help the next person looking for a serious relationship in Thailand, including being patient and open-minded, especially if you actually live in the country. The quick version: patience, flexibility, and quality over quantity! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Thailand's food tastes have changed a lot since Greg and Ed first got here two decades ago, and in that time, things have gone international, yo! With this in mind, Greg interviews Nick Wattanavekin, who opened the first Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian donut shop, in Thailand just a few short months ago. The journey from investment banker to restauranteur is a long one, but Nick explains how he transitioned from his early career to franchising restaurants in Thailand, discusses how much Bangkok has changed in the last twenty years, and what drives the increasingly cosmopolitan palette of Thai consumers. Nick then goes into detail explaining just how one brings a "famous overseas" but not "famous in Thailand" brand to Thailand, including consumer research, business plans, market strategies...and what happens when those famously long lines outside of hip new places go away. And of course - why Tim Hortons? If you're Canadian, you get it, but if not...well, Nick's done his research. The boys wrap up talking about some of the unique characteristics of the Thai market compared to other Tim Hortons locations around the world. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

The big news of the day is of course the coronavirus, something Greg and Ed have talked about frequently on the bonus show, which goes to our patrons. But on this show, though, the guys dive right in and address the Thai government's bizarre and inconsistent public declarations about the virus and the government's policy towards it. Ed does his best to recount the government's statements of the last few days: first, an apparent mandatory quarantine of all travelers from nine countries, followed by that statement disappearing and radio silence from the government. Then, a new statement indicating an 'optional' quarantine of travelers from fewer countries, followed by a new statement from TAT apparently discouraging tourists to travel to Thailand from high-risk countries. The boys lament the fact that bad PR by the Thai government would be laughable in some circumstances, but in the case of coronavirus it is potentially deadly. At the very least, hundreds of thousands of tourists - not to mention Thais in the hospitality and service industries - are affected by Thai governmental policies, so professionalism and clarity are of utmost importance. To wrap things up, Greg and Ed discuss various theories to explain the government's strange ineptitude at communicating with the public. Greg introduces a theory that it could be be partly due to Thai cultural communication styles, while Ed considers a more mundane explanation: military-bureaucratic incompetence. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Cod Satrusayang, editor-in-chief of ThaiEnquirer.com, one of Thailand's newest news sites. Cod explains that after a decade of experience in the foreign press in Thailand and abroad, he felt that Thailand's English-language press had been somewhat diluted by corporate meddling and special interests. What the country needed was true independent media from a Thai perspective. Greg and Cod discuss 'woke' culture and the similar role that comedians and journalists play when pushing boundaries regardless of the risks, in the same way that the leaders of the Future Forward Party, recently dissolved, have done by expressing no regrets about starting a party that challenged the Thai military. Greg and Cod also discuss the history of student involvement in politics in Thailand, from the original protests in 1973 through 1976 and later Black May in 1992. Cod argues that although students were less involved in the 1990s, they have become more involved since the coup of 2014 - something that we see happening in greater numbers as this episode goes to air. Last, the guys discuss some of the ways that the new generation of Thais think and act differently from their predecessors, especially when you take into account the role played by overseas travel and education, and the influence of the Internet and social media. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

People are often quick to call Thailand 'developing' or even 'third world' - but what do those terms even mean? We decided to find out. Ed interviews Dan Honig, a professor of international development at Johns Hopkins University. After explaining Dan's unique educational background and world travels, the guys dig into some basic questions about the Thai economy. Right off the bat, Dan notes that when compared to the entire world, it is not accurate to consider Thailand poor. Instead, it would probably be categorized as 'upper middle income'. But that describes Thailand as a whole - what about other indices like inequality, development, or poverty? Dan discusses different ways of measuring these things and notes that Thailand has a very low poverty rate, with most Thais generally having access to health care and education. But the extreme gap between the one percent at the top in Thailand and everybody else impacts the political situation, and in Dan's mind definitely is a problem. Last, the guys riff on the oddness of having salaries that put them in the top one or two percent in the world, but at the same time feeling 'disadvantaged' in some way. In the end, it's only traveling and seeing the way most people live that lead to really appreciating what you have. Something listeners of the Bangkok Podcast should know already. :) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

You might be surprised to learn that two fellows as cool as Greg and Ed can be a bit nerdy, but it's true! So, in keeping with that theme, this week your hosts jump into a potpourri of Bangkok statistics. Do you know how many sqkm Bangkok is? Or how big Thailand's GDP is? Or how many airports or kilometers of rail track the kingdom has? In a wide-ranging discussion about the numbers that make up Bangkok (and Thailand), the boys cover geography, population density, population demographics, religion, the economy, minimum wage, education, transportation, telecommunications, and even electrical consumption! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed interview Michael Messner, long time expat, Patpong bar entrepreneur, and the founder and curator of the Patpong Museum. Opened this year, the Patpong Museum is meant to educate the public on the entire history of the Patpong area, stretching from its earliest development more than 100 years ago until today - and there's way more to it than just go-go bars! Michael exemplifies the 'interesting expat,' having first come to Thailand to expand his art business only to meet a Thai woman and begin to plant roots in Bangkok. Through a chance encounter he found a mentor close to the Patpong family, and this gave Michael the opportunity to enter the hectic world of Bangkok bar and restaurant ownership. Many years later and after much (eventual) success, he decided to open the Patpong Museum. Why does Bangkok's most famous red light district deserve a museum? Well, you need to hear Michael tell the story but suffice it to say that the Patpong area has a long and fascinating history much before the modern era of the night market and go-go bars, involving family drama, CIA intrigue, and straight old-fashioned corporate commercialization. And in a nice twist, Michael offers listeners of the Bangkok Podcast a 20% discount on admission. Just mention BP when you arrive to cash in! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In another Neighborhood Focus, the guys revisit an area discussed in Season 2: Thonburi, roughly defined as the 'other side' of the river from downtown Bangkok. 'Revisit' on the show that is, cause both Greg and Ed have lived in Thonburi for a while - we never left. :) So why talk about it again? Well, a lot has changed on our side of Bangkok in the two years since we first covered it. The mega chic complex at Icon Siam has sparked a lot of development in the area properly known as Khlong San. The guys discuss their thoughts on Icon about a year after its opening and conclude that it seems to have improved considerably, with more food options and a greater community feel. It's still 'just a mall,' but props to the developers for trying to do something different, and both Greg and Ed consider it worth a visit. The boys then wander the neighborhood, noting the ramshackle homes practically touching the super expensive residences at Icon Siam before hitting a few notable bars and restaurants along the river, ending up at Klong San market and noshing on some great raisin bread. Greg ponders that the Khlong San area of Thonburi is poised to possibly become the Thong Lor of the other side of the river. Listen in for details and the names of places the guys recommend. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Everybody knows that intercultural relationships in Thailand are most likely a Thai woman with a foreign man, but things are changing! It's not as common, but there are plenty of farang women in relationships with Thai men - partnerships that carry their own unique set of challenges! Greg interviews Sam Ormond, an Australian and long-term Bangkokian who has been married to a Thai man for many years. Greg and Sam discuss stereotypes of Thai men that may tend to scare away western women, although Sam notes that while these stereotypes may be true of some Thai men (especially younger ones), there are plenty of fantastic Thai men out there. Sam also shares several interesting anecdotes about her unusual life as a farang wife in Thailand, from filling out paperwork that doesn't even have options for women, to the unique requirements of being married to a Thai man who (temporarily) enters the monkhood - and their "re-marriage" when he came back into civilian life! There's also a discussion of Asian stereotypes in pop culture, and the fact that Greg really needs some Thai male friends! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Your hosts get a little deep with the topic this time by kicking off a discussion on expat identity. Can expats reinvent themselves and become someone new in their new country? Should they? Ed chimes in with some immediate support for people doing what they can to get out of a rut or 'stretch their personalities,' but also offers concerns about people acting superficial or fake. Greg clarifies that he's not talking about lying or just making stuff up, but rather breaking free of old, bad habits and giving yourself a chance to try something new. Although good friends and the comfort of home certainly make life better, they also can sometimes be constraining, especially after a long time in the same place. The guys discuss a magazine article on the advantages of expatdom when it comes to improving yourself and creating a new 'you,' largely agreeing with the article's optimistic view of expat life - at least if you are someone who WANTS to change things up. The boys also note that sexual identity is often one of those things difficult to experiment with around family and old friends, and a new country is often the ticket to explore new experiences. And what better place to do that than Bangkok? No surprise that the guys think being an expat is a great way to find the real 'you' that's just been dying to come out. :) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Tony Joh, an old friend and co-host of Season 1 of the Bangkok Podcast to reminisce about their true noob status as pioneer podcasters and re-living their early successes (and screw-ups). Tony then explains his move to Japan and how he liked his job (at first) due to his ability to work from home (and avoid Japanese corporate culture). Lo and behold his small company was bought by a big corporation, and Tony was required to work in the office, significantly decreasing his job satisfaction. Tony and Greg trade stories about working for Asian companies (which Greg has done in the past), and compare and contrast Japanese and Thai culture. The last stage of Tony's journey was to move back to Canada, where he has been for the last year and a half. Tony recounts his re-adjustment to his home country, and ironically talks about how weird it is to have everything work well and being 'normal.' This leads to his possible interest in heading back to Asia for more adventures, because, let's be honest, Asia's where it's at. :) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a first for the podcast, the boys decide to review a part of the Bangkok Podcast website - the relatively new for Season 4 'Resources' section. A few weeks back we posted a page called 'Some Thoughts on Thai Culture,' and it elicited some responses from friends of the podcast, so we decided to dig into it. We don't want to rehash what's already there, so if you haven't read it yet, mosey on over and check it out. In brief, the page lists 5 key characteristics of Thai culture: 1) Respect for authority; 2) Being indirect; 3) High context; 4) Fitting in; and 5) No problems. Greg and Ed discuss each, trying to find exceptions and bring some nuance to the characteristics. At the end, Ed brings up an 'honorable mention': an important characteristic that didn't quite make the top five: Thais also are particularly concerned about appearing proper in public, but in private are no more conservative than most Westerners. Of course, these are just our opinions and observations - we'd love to hear thoughts, feedback, or dissenting opinions. Listen in for the details! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

It's been a long time since we sat down with our most returningest guest ever, so we're psyched to chat with Phra Pandit for our first show of 2020. We've all seen monks going on their daily alms rounds, walking slowly and stoically as laypeople put food and other items in their บาตร, or alms bowl. But how many of you know the history of giving alms? Phra Pandit gets into the details of the practice and answers a few questions - why only go in the morning? Why do monks look so sombre when they do it? Can you refuse an offering? And what types of items in their bowl makes a monk light up with an (inner) smile? Phra Pandit also gives us his impressions of how the desire for 'the perfect alms photo/video' can sometimes corrupt the purity of the process (watch the video he mentions here), and tells a story that is, as Greg puts it, "the most metal story about Buddhsim ever." As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

A new annual tradition begins with a discussion of the cost of living in Bangkok. Greg cites a recent study that puts Bangkok as the 47th most expensive city in the world for expats to live, which might not seem so bad except Bangkok has moved up 43 places (!) from last year. Ed notes that while things do seem to be getting more expensive, the cost of living is notoriously difficult to measure because it really depends on the specific good or services that you measure. Greg concurs, noting for example that in the recent study, the cost of international school was NOT included, which could potentially even move Bangkok higher. Ed also points out that Bangkok is a weird city that seems to cater to people at almost every income level, such that the average cost may not be super cheap, but that does not mean that super cheap options are not available. But what about gas, food, rent, milk, a car, and buying a McDonald's meal? Greg compares the prices in Bangkok with the same thing in his home town of Calgary. The boys conclude by reminding listeners that it's only in places like the Bangkok Podcast that you can receive the 'wisdom of the Bangkok elders' and find out how to do the City of Angels on the cheap. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In our ongoing series about living in Bangkok with a disability, Greg interviews Sai Techawongtham, a Thai citizen who is blind, and who has something very rare in Thailand - a guide dog (his name is Luther and he's a very good boy). Sai has recently received a lot of social media attention due to the fact that many Thai people are unaware of the purpose of guide dogs and often fail to accommodate their use. Sai discusses the difficulty of being blind in Thailand, and compares Bangkok to the U.S., where she goes to university. As Sai notes, exposure and awareness are slowly changing minds in Thailand, but many businesses in Bangkok still will not allow dogs to enter, even though guide dogs are allowed by law. But all the laws in the world won't do much good if no one knows about them. Sai says that while it might be normal to blame the government for lack of accessibility for the disabled, there's still a lot that private citizens can do to make their places of businesses easier to negotiate for the blind or people in wheelchairs. And don't forget to check out Sai's Facebook page, which has frequent posts in Thai and English about life as a blind person in Bangkok. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg tells the true story of the 'Samut Prakan Radiation Incident,' which happened in Thailand in 2000. A piece of medical equipment that contained the highly radioactive isotope Cobalt 60 was improperly disposed of, and after a series of transactions ended up in the hands of everyday trash collectors. Unaware of its true nature, the men cut open the container with an acetylene torch, unwittingly releasing deadly radiation into the atmosphere. Those involved soon started showing up at local clinics with strange burns and other mysterious symptoms. Thankfully, the doctors were on the ball, and soon realized they had a full-blown nuclear incident on their hands. After alerting authorities, the Thai Government office in charge of atomic safety jumped into high gear to stop things from going from bad to way, way worse. Greg and Ed dig into the significance of the incident and how it resulted in improved regulations, agreeing that even though lives were lost, Bangkok was very lucky to avoid a much broader tragedy. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

We're happy to welcome to the show John Brown, the CEO of Agoda, one of the world's largest online accommodation platforms. Headquartered in Singapore but with a large support office in Thailand, John explains how the company began and how it's grown. Greg and John also discuss what difficulties arise when trying to hire top-tier talent from around the world to come and work in Bangkok, a city not known as a hub of high-tech companies. How do they prove that the move is worth it, and what type of sales pitch on Bangkok do new staff get? John also discusses how Bangkok's vibrant local culture affects the culture of an office made up of many different nationalities, as well as the obvious question - what does Agoda do when things in Bangkok's boisterous political arena go a bit sideways? How does this negative news affect tourism in Thailand, and what measures can companies like Agoda take to compensate? As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a lighter episode after a few weeks of serious guests and topics, Greg and Ed trade 'hard to believe that happened' stories about living in Thailand. Ed begins with a call of nature nightmare that required an impromptu stop at Lumpini Police Station that ended with a terrified woman and a very relieved Ed in the female toilet. Greg follows with a cultural 'no-no' in one of the least expected places - a go-go bar - where he innocently used his foot to get the attention of one of the girls. After sitting in silence while the woman mercilessly tore strips off of him for what seemed like an eternity, Greg used the experience as a lesson for the tourists he was shepherding through the red light district. Ed next recounts an utterly bizarre experience that occurred when the Thai government had to verify his marriage during his residency application process. Two government officers came to Ed's house on the weekend and interviewed him and his wife, which ended up with the couple posing in their bedroom for the overly-demanding officers. Thankfully, they remained fully clothed. Yes, that really happened. Not to be outdone, Greg concludes with a hilarious story of an audition for a commercial, only to be asked to wrestle bare chested with a strange guy while someone filmed and yelled out instructions. Numerous strange contortions were followed by an impromptu Thai lesson for good measure. And to top it off, he didn't even get the gig! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Director/producer Tom Waller has made a lot of films, but his latest movie might be his most important yet. The Cave tells the story of the rescue of the Wild Boars football team from a flooded cave in northern Thailand. On a special extended show, Greg and Ed are happy to have Tom on the show, as well as two special guests, diver/actor Jim Warny, who helped rescue the boys and starred as himself in the film, and composer Olivier Lliboutry! Tom tells us how he walked the line when writing the script of telling a compelling story without being exploitative, filling his movie with non-actors, as well as his race against the clock to get something to market when others were working hard on their own projects about the same story. Tom also talks about the film industry in Thailand, and how projects like The Cave can serve as ambassadors of sorts for Thailand around the world. We're also delighted to talk to Jim about his experience bringing the story to life, what is was like to go from regular dude to high-profile actor overnight, and whether he now considers himself a diver/actor, or actor/diver. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

A bit of news first - the Bangkok Podcast has LINE stickers! Go here to check them out and increase your expressiveness. Sadly, Thai-based users only. On this show, Greg introduces a fascinating question for expats: to what extent should they see themselves as 'ambassadors' who represent the country they come from - or indeed, expats in general? Ed opens a bit contrarian, arguing that expats only have a duty to obey the law and not act like jerks, the same as if they were at home. Greg counters that while that sounds good in theory, in fact locals will blame expats' countries and cultures for expats' individual misbehavior. This leads to a fascinating (if we do say so ourselves) back and forth from two long term expats on exactly what duty should guide expats while overseas. They boys also discuss a related but slightly different issue: to what extent should expats 'do as the Thais do'? Do we have a duty to assimilate and 'act Thai'? Your hosts discuss the minimum (taking shoes off, bowing, etc.) but also possible limits on how 'Thai' foreigners should be in the Land of Smiles. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This episode is the second half of our interview with Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, beer advocate and member of Thai Parliament from the Future Forward Party. Ed asks Tao about his decision to run for parliament and how his life has changed since taking his seat. Turns out that once Tao decided to run, he chose Bangkok Yai, a district in Bangkok that is traditionally a stronghold for the Democratic Party. With no experience and a low budget, Tao had to develop his own grassroots campaign strategy, His approach worked, and he won his district (where Ed happens to live) comfortably. Tao also talks about how humble he felt taking his seat in Parliament and working with some old Thai politicians he heard of as a kid. He discusses his life as an MP, his workload, and how voting works in the Future Forward Party. But as Tao explains, his real interest is in promoting equality of opportunity in Thailand. All he really wants to do is have his own small brewery and bar. Is that too much to ask? Unfortunately, to make his dream happen, he had to become a member of Parliament and do his best to change the Thai laws that always seem to favor big corporations and the wealthy. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed are very happy to welcome to the podcast Taopiphop Limjitrikorn, a beer entrepreneur and current member of Thai parliament from the Future Forward Party. In this first of a two-part interview, Greg and Tao discuss Tao's background as a lawyer and how he transitioned from that into brewing his own beer, which - believe it or not, he got arrested for! Greg explains, with Tao's help, that Thai law is shockingly unfair to small brewers, essentially making it impossible for anyone but larger corporations (or ultra-rich families) to make beer in the Kingdom. So then what's up with Thai craft beer around Bangkok? Well, Tao explains that all (legal) Thai craft beer is actually made over the border in Cambodia and then imported into Thailand and subjected to heavy duties. Coincidentally, Tao heard about a new political movement in Thailand made up largely of young people who wanted to move beyond the red-yellow divide of previous generations. This movement morphed into the Future Forward Party, and without big money or a big family name (or any political experience), Tao jumped into the Thai election held earlier this year. Although he was in a district traditionally controlled by Thailand's biggest political party, Tao pulled off a huge upset win! Make sure to listen to next week's show when Ed and Tao discuss his new life as a member of Thai parliament. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed discuss the absolutely EPIC beginning of season 4 of the Bangkok Podcast. Why start a new season? Well, it turns out that seasons 1 and 2 were in the 70ish episode range and 80 seemed a good round number. Plus, the guys were just ready for some changes! But first - a book giveaway! Listen in to learn how you can win a copy of Working in Thailand by our buddy Karsten, who co-authored. So, what are all these changes about, you ask? First, more content for our Patrons, especially photo and video content, including interviews with people like Taopiphop, a member of Thai Parliament. Second, a cool new segment called 'Token Thai,' where a real live Thai person will talk to Greg and Ed about cross cultural issues, including questions that Thai people have about westerners. Third, a 'resources' section of the Bangkok Podcast web page that includes posts of useful information that our fans can easily access, such as basic Thai language, Thai culture, and the Bangkok transit system. Listen in to hear about a few more small changes coming up in Season 4. Let's get this train rollin'! As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Big News: This show will be the final episode of Season 3! We figure 80 episodes is the right number given the length of previous seasons, so the Bangkok Podcast will be taking a week off next week before commencing Season 4, which will include a few interesting changes to the show. (Spoiler Alert: Ed is coming back, woo hoo!) And a quick note - if you want to read the esoteric-yet-fascinating Harvard study on Bangkok's khlongs that we talk about in the show, you can get it here. So in the last show of the season, the boys venture out to explore the 'Phra Khanong' area, which includes Sukhumvit Soi 71 (aka Soi Pridi Banomyong) and the area immediately around the Phra Khanong BTS station. Why Phra Khanong? Well, it turns out the area is in the news this week, as it was named the 12th coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out Magazine! Greg and Ed were so surprised by the designation that they ran out, met up with a buddy who lives in the area, and checked it out. This episode is their report. Beginning at 'W District', they sample the excellent outdoor food court and beer garden in the back, as well as a number of cool restaurants and cafes dotted throughout the complex. The soi immediately behind W District, Pridi Soi 3, is an eclectic mix of bars, small restaurants, barbershops, clothes shops, karaoke parlors and massage places, with its own personality. As for the side sois off of Soi 71, despite walking up and down and in an out, your hosts struggled to find interesting places to hang out, but perhaps it was the evening hour. That being said, the entire area was bustling with activity and all of the small Thai restaurants and shops were fairly busy. The guys did manage to find a cool little cocktail bar called Clouds Across the Moon on Pridi Soi 14, cheaper than the 'mixology' joints on Thong Lor and Ekkamai but just as delicious. Pridi Soi 2 also proved interesting with many street restaurants, an Irish hole-in-the-wall pub, and a fun looking Mexican restaurant with great drink specials. Although both Greg and Ed liked what they saw and consider the area (especially W District) worth a visit, they were a bit amiss as to why (or how) this area got ranked so high on TimeOut's list. But who knows, maybe the guys just aren't cool enough to know cool when they see it. :) As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.