The Bangkok Podcast

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.

Greg interviews Rex de Koening and Johanna de Koening Schaaij from New Counseling Service, who have been working as therapists in Thailand since 2001. Rex and Johanna begin by explaining that traditionally in Thailand there was no concept of mental health other than the idea that a person is either fine or crazy - nothing in between. Slowly this idea has been changing, however, sparked significantly by the tsunami crisis of 2004, which caused large scale trauma. Johanna notes that traditional sources of emotional support - the family, monks, and fortune tellers - are playing less of a role in modern Thai life, especially in Bangkok, where many people are working long hours, often estranged from their families or home towns. Rex discusses his and Johanna's deep understanding of Thai culture, which comes from their decades of experience treating Thais with a variety of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD. Johanna talks about the changing role of the family in both Thailand and the West, which may be the root cause of the rise in attention-related disorders, among others. 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 dive into the flooding crisis in Thailand. (Get it?) Ed begins with some sobering statistics on the recent spate of floods that have affected 34 provinces, including Bangkok, which kicks off some not-so-nostalgic discussions about previous Bangkok flood stories, from wading down the soi in flip flops or simply being trapped at home on an 'island' until the water subsides. Granted, considering the flooding issues that some people have dealt with, this is small potatoes. But have things gotten worse? The guys admit they lack the expertise to know for sure, but it does seem that the annual problem of flooding hasn't gotten any better, even though the rainy season is largely predictable. Adding to the gloomy situation are Bangkok's precarious position at near sea level and the rising oceans due to climate change. The boys end with a somewhat desperate hope that the Thai government has a team of world class experts working on a master plan to save our beloved city. Does it? Greg and Ed don't know, but if you have confidence in the Thai government to deal with this immense problem, the boys have some swampland in Florida to sell you. It's also near sea level by the way. :) 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. Photo by Philip Roeland

Greg interviews Palm, a professional translator of English to Thai, but in a very specific context: subtitles for film and television. Palm begins by explaining that she literally learned English by being a couch potato and watching a lot of Western TV shows and movies, surviving by figuring out the subtitles word by word. This led naturally to an interest in doing it for a living, and lo and behold, her dream came to when she got a job translating for MTV Thailand. Eventually, this led to translating for a major video distribution company (which shall remain anonymous). Greg quizzes Palm on the difficulties of her job and how she can possibly find Thai equivalents for all the weird expressions and slang in English. Palm notes that this in fact makes her job fun, as she often has to do research to first make sure she has the proper understanding in her own head before she can determine the best Thai equivalent. Unsurprisingly, curse words are quite difficult, and Greg and Palm discuss some rude expressions and how Palm approaches translating them. They also discuss the difference between simply translating a word, and translating intentions, concepts, and context. Apply this to, say, hip-hop culture, or RuPaul's show "Drag Race", and you can see where it becomes difficult! Palm concludes with some advice for wannabe subtitlers, so listen in for some excellent career guidance if you are so inclined. 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 one of their old stomping grounds - Sukhumvit Soi 11, perhaps the most famous destination on Sukhumvit that doesn't involve a red light district! Beginning with stories of their early days on the soi, when it was primarily known as home to swanky Q Bar and Bed Supperclub, it's gone through several iterations since then. Indeed, Greg notes that it always seems to be going through a transition, and not just construction-wise. The identity of the soi also seems to change over time and the hi-so feel of old Soi 11 was replaced by more of a sports bar, burger joint, live music, and tourist vibe. The boys discuss their 'research trip' to Soi 11, where they discovered that it is yet again undergoing massive renovation, with large swathes of the soi actually inaccessible due to construction. However, there are still multiple excellent restaurants and pubs along the way - The Australian, the rebuilt Hemingway's, Limoncello, and Daniel Thaiger. Listen as Greg and Ed discuss why they think each place is a standout - and shed a tear over the original Cheap Charlie's. On top of that, just around the corner at the end of the soi lies a newly relocated Villa Supermarket as well as Apoteka, one of the better venues for live music in all of Bangkok. Although Soi 11 may be in a 'rebuilding phase' at the moment, it's still worth a visit now - in one to three years, however, it should be back into its prime. 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.

Readers of the Bangkok Post will need no introduction to this week's guest. Roger Crutchley - or Old Crutch, as he's known - arrived in Bangkok in 1969 by accident, never intending to stay. Yet here we are, 50 years later, and after a multi-decade career at the Bangkok Post and adventures too numerous to count, he sits down to riff on the past 5 decades in Thailand. From bullet-riddled visa runs to Cambodia, to Vietnam-era beer bars on Phetchburi Road, to Thai protests and coups, Roger has seen it all, reporting on it in the pages of the Bangkok Post, which was first printed in the same year Roger was born. We also discuss his new book, The Long Winding Road to Nakhon Nowhere, which recounts some of his misadventures, and provides some great insight into why Bangkok was, is, and probably will always be, such a fascinating city. 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.

Sooner or later, we all spend some time in the hospital, so Greg and Ed riff on their myriad experiences in Bangkok hospitals over the years. But before we get into that, we should note - due to Thailand's strict defamation laws, some of the places we talk about will remain nameless. But with that out of the way, we can say that Thailand in general has pretty good medical care, and it is standard advice for travelers in neighboring countries to get over the border into Thailand if they have any medical problems. But, as Ed notes, Thailand does not have very good legal protections against medical malpractice: if a doctor makes a mistake, don't expect significant financial compensation from the Thai justice system. Greg and Ed then trade anecdotes about their own experiences in the Thai medical system, each with some good and bad things to say. Ed's life has been literally saved by competent doctors; Greg passed himself off as a Jedi in lieu of a real religion; both have been saved a ton of grief by getting a second opinion. Your mileage may vary, but both Greg and Ed agree, as a pure value proposition (i.e. what you get for the money), Thailand, though far from perfect, is a pretty good deal. Listen in for some great advice on how to maximize your chances of getting a good experience at a Bangkok hospital. 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 talks to Hassan Ghiassi, the creator and organizer of Aristotle's Cafe, a Bangkok group that focuses on meetups that involve discussions and debates on questions voted on by the participants themselves. Firstly, Aristotle's Cafe is a format, and the location is not fixed. At the beginning of each meetup, the attendees submit questions and then vote on what to discuss. But does the same format work equally well in different cities and cultures? Greg raises issues from his own experience about difficult people dominating discussions, as well as cultural issues involving Thai people supposedly being 'shy.' Have now worry, Hassan says, his long experience running the 'cafe' in several different countries have shown him that most participants - including Thais - often shed their reluctance to express opinions in the right environment. But AC isn't just for youngins! Hassan says that the group gets all types - older farangs yearning for English language contacts, Thais wanting to improve their English, and people trying to network and make friends. The one thing they all seem to have in common is the desire to make real connections. Hassan also stresses that since topics are not announced ahead of time, you never know what will be discussed other than that the most popular topics are typically current and relevant to whatever is going on in the world at that time. No doubt Aristotle's Cafe is one of the many Bangkok subcultures that make this city the best in the world for expats! 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 up - apologies for Greg's bad audio on this episode! Small technical problem, and it sounds like he's talking on a phone from Peru. Luckily, Ed does most of the talking! Speaking of Ed, he recently returned from 4 days in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, his first-ever visit. The city's going through somewhat of a renaissance of late, with plenty of discussion online about PP vs BKK. So what's Ed's verdict? As a matter of course, Greg introduces the subject by urging listeners to learn about Cambodia's tragic history and to take that into account when evaluating its level of development. With that in mind, Ed notes that in many ways, it's not fair to compare Phnom Penh to Bangkok, and a fairer comparison would be to Chiang Mai. Still, many expats are considering is an alternative to Thailand for various reasons. Next, Ed also points out that there are many factors at play and there's no truly objective way to judge the cities. What works for one expat may not work for another, so this represents only Ed's point of view, with Greg chiming about his trip many years ago. On the plus side, Ed notes that Phnom Penh seems more chilled out, with less traffic and more open spaces than Bangkok. The result is a real 'holiday vibe' for seemingly everyone there. Further, there's less of a police presence overall and alcohol is cheaper due to lower import taxes. On the negative side, Phnom Penh has significantly fewer restaurant and nightlife options and the infrastructure, such as mobile internet, is not up to Bangkok standards. And certainly don't expect subways and skytrains. Greg and Ed run through all of these points, plus a few more, and ponder if - and in what circumstances - a move to Phnom Penh would be advised if you're thinking about moving on from 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.

With the iminent opening of the MRT Blue Line extension, we sit down with Don Siridhara, a lecturer and transportation planning engineer, to geek out over Bangkok's expanding rail network. But first - you might want to consult this handy Google Map that Greg made as you listen that shows all future rail lines. It's our first interactive show! Don discusses why Bangkok's first train line only opened in 1999, why it's taken so long to get up to speed, the challenges of grafting a modern rail system on top of a 250-year old road network, what's happening with the Taksin Bridge rail expansion, and why simply "adding more trains" to solve congestion isn't as easy as it sounds. We also discuss the story behind Bangkok's two 'ghost stations', the holdup with the long-promised one-ticket system, the new Bang Sue rail terminal, and how maybe, just maybe, the old old rail depot along Phectchaburi Road will be turned into a sweet new park. 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 address an important but tricky question: Why do expats leave Thailand? How do you know when the right time to leave is? The boys ponder the various reasons why to find out what's more common - work or family issues, personal problems with fitting in, or more Thai-centric problems such as just plain growing tired of Bangkok, Thai culture, or the confusing politics. Greg recounts several expat families who have left due to the expense of international schools for their kids, while Ed points out that that certain expats seem on a very specific timetable due to the length of a posting, either at a private company or NGO. And as evidenced in our two-part expat women dating show, many foreign women leave due to lack of dating opportunities. Then Ed runs through some specific cases of his friends: one left due to a relationship ending, another due to visa issues, but a third did leave after being harassed by Thai cops and getting frustrated with the Thai political situation. All in all, it does seem that most people seem to leave over work related or personal issues, rather than problems with Thai society itself. To conclude, the boys offer some advice to expats who are bored with Bangkok but have a choice over when to leave: check out another city in Thailand such as Chiang Mai or consider another city in Southeast Asia such as Kuala Lumpur or Phnom Penh. Just because you are tired of Bangkok doesn't mean the adventure has to end! 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 - don't forget our meetup on 27 July at Smalls. Get more info here. And also don't forget that both Greg AND Ed will be speaking at Bombyx on 26 July. Get more info here. Okay, on this episode Greg interviews Khun Saba, a disabled rights activist in Bangkok. It's a topic near and dear to the Bangkok Podcast, because we want everyone to enjoy Bangkok, which is very hard to do if you don't have full mobility. Khun Saba explains that he became aware of the difficulty of moving around Thai cities, especially Bangkok, after he became disabled, and notes that while physical and structural issues are important, the key issue is really awareness. Simply put, if people blindly accept all the problems with transportation in Bangkok, then of course they will never be solved. Greg asks Khun Saba about a notorious incident in which he broke a pane of glass when he couldn't use the elevator at Asoke BTS Station. The circumstances were unusual and need to be fully listened to to be understood, but the incident highlights the daily frustration of disabled people in Bangkok. Khun Saba also makes clear that his organization fights for the rights of all Bangkokians to safe and convenient access to transportation in the city and not just the rights of people who are actually physically disabled. He describes his dream of making Bangkok a city of truly international standards where all citizens are equal in terms of their access to the city. We urge you to like the page of Accessibility is Freedom - you'll get some great insight into Bangkok from a whole different point of view. 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.

Dengue infections are off the chart this year, and it pays to know the dangers. Do you? ARE YOU SURE? Greg interviews Dr. Vorapot, an expert in travel medicine and in particular tropical diseases such as dengue fever. Greg and Dr. V review the scary data on the increases in dengue cases in Thailand, noting that different types of mosquitoes breed in different environments. Luckily, the type that carries malaria tends to breed in clean water in the jungle, but other types can breed in cities such as Bangkok, especially during the rainy season. Dr. V goes through the stages of dengue fever infection. Surprisingly, about 90% of dengue infections result in little or no symptoms, but about 10% of people suffer serious effects. A further complication is that sometimes later exposure to dengue can result in more serious consequences, and the dengue vaccine itself must be carefully administered to not put patients in a more vulnerable state. Dr. V also reviews the symptoms of dengue fever, which unfortunately can mimic the symptoms of other viral infections. Last, the good doctor runs through a great mnemonic device to help prepare you for many tropical diseases. Listen in to get some great advice that might keep you out of trouble while travelling in Thailand. 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 self-promotion first - we're happy to see that the Bangkok Podcast was chosen as one of 2019's top 25 expat podcasts over at Feedspot. A great honor! Now to the show... Greg and Ed are psyched to sit down with Pailin Wedel, a Thai-American journalist and filmmaker based in Bangkok, about her new film "Hope Frozen." Pailin talks a bit about her background as a journalist making short documentary pieces for Al Jazeera and other news outlets. Her new film, however, sprang from a chance meeting with a Thai family suffering an extraordinary tragedy. In brief, the young daughter of a very scientifically-minded Thai family was suffering from terminal cancer, and the family made the decision to 'cryo-preserve' their daughter in the hopes that she could possibly be revived in the future with superior technology. Pailin saw the opportunity to tell a unique story, and luckily the family agreed to be filmed. What ensued was a more than two year process of following the family through the twists and turns of this nightmare scenario, including sometimes unflattering coverage in the Thai media. Pailin relates the tale of making the film and the multiple cultural and religious questions raised by the family's decisions. She details not only the family's struggles, but also her own fight to find adequate funding to do the story justice. The story of 'Hope Frozen' reached an incredible (and thoroughly unexpected) climax when the film won the highest award at North America's largest documentary film festival, HotDocs. Listen in for Pailin's first hand account of discovering and telling this amazing story, and make sure to follow its continuing journey on the Hope Frozen 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.

Continuing our series on interesting events in Thai history, Greg introduces the Thai-Cambodian 'crisis' of 2003. It started when rumors began spreading that a Thai soap opera actress, Suvanant Kongying, had said Cambodia had 'stolen' Angkor Wat from Thailand. After the Cambodian Prime Minister repeated the allegations and banned Thai radio programs and TV shows, anti-Thai mobs began to form in Phnom Penh and soon became violent, leading to looting, evacuations, threats of military action, and even a border closure! The sad kicker is that there was actually no direct evidence that the original comments had even been made, with the best theory being that a character played by the actress may have been the original source of the rumors! Listen in for Greg and Ed's theories of why the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia is so fragile and for more incredible details from this bizarre saga. 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.

Part 2 of a panel discussion with four guests! Why four? Well, everyone knows that cliche about Bangkok being a heaven for expat men, but we didn't know much about what it's like for expat women. It stands to reason that one woman can't speak for all women, so we upped the game a bit. We discuss a myriad of stories that show how complex, nuanced, and (depending on the person) important the issue is to a life well lived in the capital. Among many other things, the ladies discuss dating horror stories, advice for new joiners, adjusting standards and expectations, and expat women-only social media groups to vet potential mates, advice for newbies. Also discussed - after a move to Thailand does a male 5 become a 7, and does a female 7 become a 5? Why are Thai men shy about approaching expat women, and why are so many expat men bitter against expat women? What is a "gik"- and does Greg have one? (spoiler - hells to the no). 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.