The Bangkok Podcast | Expat Life In Thailand Via Expats From Canada & America

On this episode Greg chats with his buddy Jesse Davis. You might not know Jesse’s name, but if you have kids, chances are they know his daughter.  About four years ago Jesse and his daughter started Brianna’s Secret Club, a YouTube channel aimed at kids where Brianna and her pals do things like unwrap gifts, play with toys, build stuff, and do other kid-related things. The channel took off, and soon became a full-fledged family business, with budgets, schedules, assistants, and studio time. As of this airing, the channel has nearly 7 million subscribers, among the most popular YouTube channels in Thailand. Greg and Jesse chat about being judged by the YouTube algorithm, how a ‘quick video’ is never quick, the balancing act that played out between an office job and this new venture, and how Jesse and his wife ensure their kids stay grounded and treat this as a real job, with real responsibilities.  Lots of people come to Thailand with a camera in-hand and dreams of a content empire, but as Jesse explains, it

Greg and Ed discuss expat merit badges - the small ‘level ups’ we get for each new step we take on our journey to becoming fully acclimatized to Thai culture. From texting on a motorbike to putting things in your ear - how many do you have?

Greg interviews returning guest Stu Jay Raj - polyglot, expert language teacher and man about town. Greg begins by asking Stu about his recent series of videos analyzing the second language capabilities of various celebrities, including Jon Cena and Robert DeNiro. Stu responds by explaining his MindKraft program, which is kind of a general learning system that can be applied to languages of all types, from linguistics to music to computer coding. Stu expounds his belief that the human brain is naturally hardwired for language of all kinds, and as long as you have the right attitude and approach, you can learn practically any language at any age. Stu then introduced the concept of ‘neu,’ which roughly translates as an accent that is slightly ‘off’ or as Stu puts it, ‘smells’ bad. He then discusses all the variations of ‘off’ accents, from Thais who live outside of Bangkok, to those who grew up overseas. What follows is a fascinating discussion of how Thais process accents and the difference between native Engl

Greg and Ed sit down with old friends and travel experts Trevor Ranges and Scott Coates of the Talk Travel Asia podcast. The guys run through a whole range of questions:  How do you first come to Thailand?  How did you meet each other?  How do you adapt to Thai food? How did you learn (or not learn) Thai language? What Thai cultural rules have you learned?  How long did it take to feel as if Thailand was really your home? And perhaps most significantly, how has Thailand changed you for the better?  It’s a fun discussion on all the mysteries of living in Asia that keep the place so interesting, and long-term expats amused, even after several decades. Listen in to hear the guys try to parse their unique experiences in the Land of Smiles over the last 20 years.  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.

Continuing the series on the 7 Deadly Sins, Greg and Ed address the envious Envy. Of course, we love Bangkok, but no place is perfect - so, what are some things in other countries that we are envious of from our perch here? Greg begins by looking over the fence at coffee culture in Vietnam. Presumably due to French influence, Vietnam has an insane number of local cafes that take coffee (and ice cream, as Ed points out) deadly seriously. The strict government helps to keep Western chains to a minimum, and the result is a coffee lovers paradise. Ed starts his list by reminiscing about his early days in Thailand when there were no legal closing times, and Bangkok was like New York - a city that never sleeps. As old farts, Greg and Ed might not take advantage of it now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t miss it on principle. Next, Greg laments that lack of school bus infrastructure that he grew up with in Canada, where most kids can walk half a block, jump on a safe school bus, and end up at school a few minutes l

Greg interviews Mark Siegel, the director of Golfasian, one of Asia’s largest golf tour operators. Greg opens with the caveat that neither he nor Ed are golfers and leaves it up to Mark to do his best to sell us on a golf holiday in the Land of Smiles.  Greg begins by noting that his first thought of a relaxing holiday would not be to spend 4 hours walking around in the scorching sun, but Mark (in the first of his many insights) responds that if you’re back in the freezing winter of Canada you might! Mark then points out that the unique appeal of Thailand is that there are so many other things for tourists to do that even if you do spend 4 hours in the sun, the rest of the day can be spent getting a Thai massage or relaxing by the pool. In further discussions of what makes Thailand so good for golf compared to other destinations, Mark observes that there are over 60 (!) golf courses of all difficulty levels within proximity to Bangkok, and about one-third of them are owned by the military which means they are

In this episode, Greg fills us in on all the special concerns of being a parent in Bangkok. As if being a parent on its own didn’t have enough surprises, it turns out there are several things to keep in mind if you are expecting or even just bringing a child to the Big Mango. Pre-eminent is of course the issue of proper schooling, be it Thai or international or some combination of both. Greg explains the 3 C’s - cost, commute, and curriculum - that all new parents must build their life around. As Ed sits by in ignorant awe, Greg runs through other parental revelations, such as malls (of all things) actually being good things that can function as safe, fun, air-conditioned havens for kids. While Ed preaches the value of NOT driving in Bangkok, Greg lists all the advantages of having a car when burdened - er, blessed - with a child. More cool insights follow (did you ever consider looking at the size of the wheels on your stroller?), including a few lessons in cultural sensitivity.  Bangkok may have the reputat

Greg interviews Kru Nan from the “You Too Can Learn Thai” podcast. Greg begins with the theory of the ‘critical period,’ that the human brain is primed to learn languages early in life but not later. Kru Nan notes that the research is not final and that adults might actually have some advantages over children. For example, adults may be able to absorb more information more quickly and also to contextualize it because of their pre-existing knowledge about the way the world works.  Next, Greg and Kru Nan discuss the difference between beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners, from the nature of the class preparation to the study materials themselves. This leads to a fascinating discussion about how culture affects the interpretation of anecdotes and dreams. Listen in for details, but suffice it to say ‘snakes’ don’t always mean the same thing around the world. Kru Nan follows with several more fascinating examples of how culture - both pop and traditional - affect our use of language.  If you have any inte

Greg and Ed discuss some negative expat stereotypes - roughly the person you (probably) don’t want to become while living in Thailand...at least forever. We all fall prey to stereotypes sometimes - they have to come from somewhere - but if you’re not careful, you can become comfortable with some of these lifestyles and before you know it, they come to define your new identity in your new home, and suddenly you’re known as The Whiner, or The Apologist. And that’s just the beginning! Heaven forbid that people start to know you as The Premature Pontificator, or The Creep, The Slob, The Bubble Boy or The Player. Like we said, it’s hard to escape most of these all the time, but Bangkok’s mai-pen-rai lifestyle is addictive, and trust us - before you know it, a decade has gone by and you’re still wearing that old Chang singlet out to dinner that you bought when you first arrived on Khao San Road (that’d be The Slob). Have a listen and see how Greg and Ed define these common tropes.  Don’t forget that Patrons get the

Greg interviews Khun Panarat Anamwathana about the bombing of Bangkok during World War II. Beginning with a discussion about how Thai people today perceive Thailand’s involvement in the Second World War, K. Panarat notes that many Thais’ attitudes are actually shaped by popular culture and specific romantic stories about that time period in Thai history. Most Thais today don’t realize the tragic nature of the conflict and the truly precarious nature of Thailand’s relationship with both Japan and the western powers. Next, K. Panarat discusses the fascinating role of Seni Pramoj, the Thai Ambassador to the United States and his role in leading the Seri Thai, or ‘Free Thai,’ movement, the pro-Western faction of Thai society. Because of his role, Thailand largely escaped punishment after the West’s victory. We also discuss which areas of the city were bombed, how the locals reacted and what role the government took vs grassroots groups in organizing evacuations. Greg and K. Panarat also elaborate on the unique ro

On a suggestion from listener Emily, Greg and Ed go back to basics with book and movie recommendations for people new to Thailand and Southeast Asia, or old-timers looking to refresh their knowledge after being disconnected during all this covid hullabaloo. Ed begins with three foundational books: the all-time classic ‘Lonely Planet Thailand,’ written by friend of the podcast Joe Cummings, the insightful (if a bit outdated) ‘Culture Shock: Thailand,’ and the super creative ‘Very Thai,’ by Phillip Cornwall-Smith (not to mention his followup ‘Very Bangkok’). Greg follows with his own key recommendations, including ‘The Thai Book’ by Ron Morris and  ‘A History of Thailand’ by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit. Ed concurs and also puts a word in for ‘Thailand: A Short History,’ by David K. Wyatt. Turning to movies, Ed notes that all foreigners interested in Thai culture should see the ghost film ‘Nang Nak,’ which relates possibly the most popular story in all of Thai pop culture. For some history perspective, Fr

Things are not so great right now, and they’re even more desperate for people who live on the edge, which is why we’re pleased to chat with Friso Poldervaart, Greg Lange, and Kerv Chittaropas about their organization Bangkok Community Help.  The three are instrumental in providing the community of over 100,000 with food, medical supplies, living essentials and care packages in Khlong Toey, Bangkok’s biggest slum community. The discussion gets into the history of Khlong Toey, how the English word ‘slum’ does the people who live there a disservice, and the intricacies, difficulties, and triumphs of giving people a helping hand amid Thailand’s complicated lattice of permissions and regulations.  And of course all of this becomes exponentially more difficult - and necessary - in the midst of Covid-19. From cooking food to buying ambulances to painting bare concrete, Bangkok Community Help is putting charity first to help the underprivileged in Bangkok, and our guests give listeners an up close view of what it’s l

Ed relates his 4-day adventure in the much-reported-on Phuket Sandbox. But spoiler alert: It wasn’t a great trip, mostly due to bad luck: it was gray and rainy almost the entire time, thus denying him quality beach time. Oh well.  But what was not bad luck was the way that the Thai government has marketed the Sandbox. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has repeatedly stated that Phuket is ‘open’ to tourism as of July 1st, and Ed took that to mean that the most popular area on the island, Patong, would actually be ready for tourists. Alas, this was not the case, with only a third of restaurants open and 95% of everything else closed.  With bad weather and not much to do, the trip was more or less doomed, but a glimmer of hope presented itself with a chance meetup with friend of the podcast Dan Fraser, travel expert extraordinaire, who coincidentally has been hired by the TAT to market Phuket to foreign tourists. Dan was able to explain that the TAT was focusing on ‘non-beach activities’ on the island of Phuket,

Greg and Ed bare their souls and discuss how living in Thailand has changed them for the better - and for the worse. Greg begins by noting that since being in Thailand he has a much greater appreciation for the life struggles of the average person, in Thailand as well as the rest of the world.  Raised middle class in the West, it is easy to see yourself as ‘normal,’ when in reality you are quite lucky compared to many people around the world.  Ed then observes that living overseas has helped him to realize what is universal in the human experience and what is more cultural or unique.  The truth is that a lot of ‘Thai’ behavior is just human and not uniquely Thai, and the same goes for things that we think of as American. Greg follows by pointing out all of his accomplishments of the last twenty years and how making his way in the world as an expat has given him a different angle on the world than his friends back home. Not necessarily a ‘better’ angle, but certainly a different one.  Not being able to escape

It’s a dream of many to move to Thailand and start their own business - be it a spiffy e-commerce site, a beer bar on a beach, or some type of consultancy. But navigating the tricky cultural and bureaucratic hurdles isn’t something to be taken lightly. We’re joined by Derek van Pelt, a Thailand resident for 24 years and someone who has had a number of successes in a variety of different arenas. Currently a partner at Stonelotus Ventures and a long-time friend of Greg and Ed’s, Derek talks about what brought his past businesses success and why he chose to shut some, his advice to people who want to start their own business here, his role as President of the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and insights into Bangkok’s business community. And of course, to discuss one of Greg’s favorite restaurant chains, getfresh, which Derek helps manage. It’s not an easy road for anyone, but as Derek notes, if you have the three Ps - patience, perseverance, and presence - making it work in Thailand will be a lot easier. Don

Diving into one of their more complex topics, Greg and Ed explore some of the questions that arise when raising a child with an appreciation for skepticism and science in the middle of a culture known for its superstitious beliefs. With Ed teaching a critical thinking class to Thai college students and Greg’s son asking questions about ghosts and praying, the boys have some interesting insights. Greg stresses the delicacy of parents in his situation: were he to directly state his opinion that ghosts are not real and praying for something has no effect on the outcome, it could create friction between his son and the Thai side of his family, who sit more on the ‘probably/definitely’ side of the scale. While trying to ensure his son grows up with an appreciation for evidence and science, this also provides a good lesson on respecting others’ beliefs, despite having different ones yourself. Where exactly is the instruction manual for this situation? The guys wrestle with the issue, doing their best to come up wit

Greg interviews Chin Chongtong, the founder of Chili Paste Food Tours, a food-based tourism company in Bangkok. Khun Chin first relates her difficult early days as an untrained tour guide, giving informal tours around Bangkok, having to negotiate both massive floods and military coups that shut down half the city. After getting a formal tour guide certificate from the Thai government, she and a friend developed the concept of food-based tours around Bangkok and occasionally other parts of Thailand. Chin is known for her highly specialized tours and her ability to seek out the most unique or hole-in-the-wall locations serving hard-to-find-food for any audience - vegetarians, spice-lovers, or those who are simply adventurous and want a surprise. Greg and Chin then trade some behind-the-scenes stories about being a tour guide, in particular the need to be flexible and to have backup plans for every eventuality.  Obviously operating a business that relies on tourism right now is not easy, and Chin explains how sh

On this show the guys keep it real by discussing things they do not like about being an expat. Plus, patrons and listeners write in with their own pet peeves about being a stranger in the strange land of Thailand.  Ed begins with his number one complaint: being mistaken for a tourist. Even after 20 years in Thailand, he is still clearly not Thai, and Thais (especially those looking to make a buck) assume that ‘not-Thai’ equals tourist. This annoyance manifests itself in many ways, from constant pestering to buy tchotchkes to take home (wooden frog anyone?) to taxi drivers that won’t use the meter. Ed wishes for a permanent sign (or maybe a tattoo?) that makes clear he’s not fresh off the plane. Greg follows with a whole series of annoyances sent in by listeners, from the classic ‘can you take care of my friend’s friend while they are in Thailand’ to the more obscure favors asked by former expats who still need help from someone in-country (power of attorney, really?). The complaints run the gamut, but with on

Greg and Ed interview Dr. Sarah Taylor, the Canadian Ambassador to Thailand to discuss her role in Thailand, Thailand’s role in Asia, and what Canada and Thailand have in common...and don’t have in common.  Ambassador Taylor comes from a long line of diplomats, with parents who met while on mission overseas. Once bitten by the travel bug, she ended up majoring in archaeology but later began a career in the Canadian foreign service. She has had stints in several countries around the world, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and China, before becoming Canada’s Ambassador to Thailand in 2019. The ambassador discusses her job as well as Canada’s relationship with Thailand, especially in light of Canada’s much larger neighbor often hogging the international spotlight. She also discusses how Canada’s experience dealing with indigenous peoples could be helpful to the Thai government in its relationship to the various hill tribes scattered throughout North Thailand.  Among other things, the guys pepper the Ambassa

The guys return to their ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ series to discuss the sin of ‘Sloth.’ Greg notes in an introduction that sloth can be a little hard to define in that all the other sins involve actively doing something, whereas sloth of course can refer to simply being really lazy. The guys agree that for the purposes of the show they will rule out simply staying home and being a slug on the couch to answer the question - what are some of the best ways to spend a day in Bangkok being as slothful as possible? Greg begins with a simple idea: hanging out at one of Bangkok’s many swanky 5-star hotels. Sounds simple but long-term expats often overlook the awesome infrastructure built to cater to tourists. We can use it too! He also recommends dailypass.com, a membership service that allows you to take advantage of a hotel’s full amenities (such as gym and swimming pool) without being a guest...for a fee. Last, Greg goes back to the old faithful, the ultra 5-star cinema experience where you can be insanely pampered whi