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

In order to wash the bad taste of New Year’s Eve 2021 out of our mouths, Greg and Ed discuss what New Year’s Eve means in Bangkok. Normally it’s one of the biggest nights of the year, but due the resurgence of COVID, this year was fairly tame. So the guys decided to discuss the holiday during better times.  Ed begins by noting that the two biggest places to witness the countdown and fireworks in Bangkok are at Central World in the shopping district, and near Saphan Taksin bridge on the river. Both guys strongly prefer the river, as the view is better and the crowd less oppressive. Greg shares an anecdote from noob NYE that required a LONG walk home due to lack of cabs. (NYE tip: Don’t forget to plan a way home!)  The guys also reminisce about their epic New Year’s on a boat that got a little too close to the fireworks, resulting in an unexpected bath for a few party goers. This leads to a discussion of several memorable Bangkok New Year’s - some a blast and unfortunately some tragic. NYE always seems to be an

The issue of violence against women in Thai culture is not often discussed. Awareness is low and even when the topic is brought up, the default reaction is to shussssshhhhh, forget about it, don’t make waves. Obviously this is not a tenable solution. Emma Thomas (Under the Ropes) and Nana Wipaphan Wongsawan (Thai Consent) are two women who are fighting to change this. In part 2 of a 2-part interview Greg sits down with both of them to discuss why Thai culture is like this and the issues and frustrations that arise from trying to help it evolve. In the course of the conversation we hear stories about how dismissive the police can be when a victim comes forward, the role Thai languages plays in preventing the problem from being understood, how bro culture often just lets it slide, and insights into why sexual assaults are sometimes treated as a minor annoyance rather than a serious attack. But it isn’t all bad news - just the fact that organizations like theirs exist is a big step forward, and they also report

The issue of violence against women in Thai culture is not often discussed. Awareness is low and even when the topic is brought up, the default reaction is to shussssshhhhh, forget about it, don’t make waves. Obviously this is not a tenable solution. Emma Thomas (Under the Ropes) and Nana Wipaphan Wongsawan (Thai Consent) are two women who are fighting to change this. In part 1 of a 2-part interview Greg sits down with both of them to discuss why Thai culture is like this and the issues and frustrations that arise from trying to help it evolve. In the course of the conversation we hear stories about how dismissive the police can be when a victim comes forward, the role Thai languages plays in preventing the problem from being understood, how bro culture often just lets it slide, and insights into why sexual assaults are sometimes treated as a minor annoyance rather than a serious attack. But it isn’t all bad news - just the fact that organizations like theirs exist is a big step forward, and they also report

It’s been a while, but the guys jump into a Q&A show, where they answer questions from listeners. The topics are incredibly wide-ranging - everything from our first Thailand memory to the equipment we use to record to our rules for ‘wai-ing’ service staff! We also touch on questions about whiskey, COVID, Thailand’s tourism outlook, whether or not the infamous commuter vans are safe, and of course, things that Thailand does better than they do back home.  Lots more where those came from, so listen in for our deeply insightful answers to our listener’s most probing questions. :) Huge thanks to everyone who sent us their queries! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews celebrated Thai artist Alex Face (https://www.facebook.com/Alexfacebkk), known mostly for his large building-sized murals, which appear not only in Bangkok but also in other cities around the world. Alex begins by recounting his interest in art as a child, which slowly developed into a passion and later a career. He explains his love of graffiti (both legal and illegal) and then discusses his education and attempts to live in other countries, including Korea and later England.  Interestingly, Alex mentions becoming a parent as a major turning point in his life, but not one that led him to a more conventional job. Instead, he focused on finding a way to support his family as an artist and continuing the struggle no matter what obstacles got in his way. Greg and Alex wind through multiple topics, including the art scene in Thailand relative to the West and the role of politics in modern Thai art. Listen in for an in-depth discussion with a truly unique Thai artist.  Also, here’s a link to a neat

Greg and Ed dive into a great question for expats in Thailand: to what extent are you actually integrated into mainstream Thai culture? Greg posted a quick survey on our Facebook page and uses some responses as a jumping-off point for discussion.  Ed begins by guessing he’s probably a 5 on a scale of 1-10. He never socializes with only Thai people, but has good enough Thai language that he can handle himself on his own in the city. He does note though that Thailand may be different than some Western countries, in that there may be a level of assimilation that Thai people don’t really want foreigners to achieve. Greg states he’s probably a 5 or 6. His Thai is getting better and he sometimes attends family events that are 100% Thai, but still...by this point he should be busting out soliloquies in the park!  Greg then reads a number of quotes from listeners about their relative absorption into Thai society with a variety of answers, but most long-timers seem to come at the 4-6 range.  Don’t forget that Patrons

Greg interviews the fascinating Wichit Saiklao, godfather of craft beer in Thailand and founder of Chit Beer, with podcast friend Scott Coates sitting in for fun. Khun Chit relates how he first learned about homebrewing while living in the States, and after returning to Thailand and buying a small house on the river island of Ko Kret, he decided to give it a try with a kit he bought on Amazon. Just seven years later, he is a legend of Thai brewing, not just because of his own popular craft beers but also because of his brewing school which now has thousands of graduates.  Khun Chit explains his approach to Thai law, which in general prohibits small batch brewing: by focusing on staying under the radar while campaigning to change the law and spreading his love of brewing to his ‘army’ of brewers, he hopes to push Thai culture in the right direction. He estimates that there are already tens of thousands of Thai people brewing quietly at home, a number so large that eventually the Thai government will likely hav

Greg and Ed consider the issue of freedom of expression in Thailand and the extent to which it is or is not compatible with Thai culture. The topic is sparked by THAT case...the one about a TripAdvisor reviewer who harshly criticized a Thai resort, only to have the Thai resort file a criminal defamation action against him.  After two days in jail and a negotiated settlement, all was well until TripAdvisor put a warning on their website indicating what the resort had done. Ed gives a basic rundown of Thai defamation laws and the sad fact in the case of a criminal defamation action, the ‘truth’ is not necessarily a defense unless the court determines the issue is a matter of ‘public interest.’ The guys go back and forth on whether Western-style freedom of expression is a true universal or whether it is more specific to a country’s culture. Last, the boys consider the younger generation of Thais and whether they may be ready to actually push traditional Thai culture to evolve in a free-er direction, at least whe

Greg interviews repeat guest Rikker Dockum about the ups and downs of raising bilingual children, beginning with an update on (now Dr) Rikker’s life back in the US - including his own two kids, both products of two cultures.  Next, Rikker segways into some common myths and truths about language acquisition. First, he dispels the idea that a parent needs to have a high level of fluency in a language to avoid hurting a child’s ability to learn it. In fact, kids are so adapted to learning languages that any exposure, even imperfect, is helpful. Second, Rikker discusses the ‘critical period’ of language learning for children, something this is true but subject to much debate about its depth and extent. Greg chimes in with his own experiences raising a bilingual son in Thailand.  The guys move on to discuss many other language issues, such as how to motivate children, the difference between spoken acquisition and learning how to read and write, techniques for getting kids to focus on language lessons, and mixing m

The boys reenter the world of the Seven Deadly Sins with a discussion of ‘Wrath’ in Thai culture. What’s the angle? Well, here is Ed’s theory: every society has roughly the same amount of total anger, but in the West negative feelings are expressed in small amounts over time. However, in Thai culture, where there is pressure to always say ‘mai pen rai,’ negative emotions build up over time and come out in an explosion. In an entirely unscientific discussion, the guys give examples that might support the theory, ranging from musings on why Thailand is the world leader in penis hackings (and thankfully, penis reattachments), to the time a mentally ill man unfortunately attacked the statue of Brahma at the Erawan Shrine only to be beaten to death by the crowd, to the effect that soap operas have on impressionable viewers - and even a scientific paper on the repressed emotions of Thai children from 1976!  No definitive conclusions are reached, but with a combined nearly 40 years in Thailand, Greg and Ed have plen

In this episode of Bangkok Podcast Metaphysics, Greg interviews our favorite guest, Phra Pandit, about notions of heaven and hell in Thai Buddhism. Phra Pandit begins by explaining the difference between reincarnation and rebirth. In Theravada Buddhism, there is not a belief in a constant, steady soul. Instead, life force, for lack of a better term, passes from one lifetime to another, like a flame from one candle to the next. In general, a person cannot remember his or her past lives, but a few, enlightened individuals can.  Phra Pandit continues by explaining that a person can be reborn in this world, but may very well be reborn into a layer of heaven or hell, all determined by one’s build up of karmic merit or sin. He outlines what specific behaviors will result in someone moving ‘down’ or moving ‘up’ in the afterlife. Next, he discusses the role of angels or ‘devas’ in the system. The guys also touch on the topic of enlightenment, and Phra Pandit explains that an ‘Arahant’ is someone who has stepped out o

In this episode, the guys debate the pros and cons of one of Thailand’s most famous cultural pastimes. Despite being friends for going on 20 years now and agreeing on a lot of things, Greg and Ed do NOT agree on Thai Traditional Massage (TTM). Ed loves it, Greg...does not.  Ed argues that while TTM may not be for everyone, its unique mix of pain and pleasure are deeply relaxing and well worth it in the long run. Greg contends the pain ain’t worth it, and there are countless better ways to spend your time (such as taking a nap - they’re free!). The boys go back and forth in their deeply lucid and insightful way on the nuances of the experience, but in the end both agree that all visitors to Thailand should try it at least once.  For specific DO’s and DON’Ts and recommendations on where to go, listen in to the full episode.  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, qu

If you’ve been in Bangkok for any length of time you’ve seen the ‘healthy lifestyle’...uh...lifestyle...change a great deal. But why, how, and to what end? Greg interviews Jack Thomas, founder and CEO of BASE Fitness to chat about the evolution.  After several years of high-pressure sales and overly-packed gyms, the scene kind of imploded in the mid-2000s, led by one famous name that rose higher and fell harder than any. But the industry is back and healthier than ever, driven in part by the changes in cultural attitudes towards health and fitness that seem to have taken place in the last 10 years.  From places like BASE and the strategies they use to help their clients get fit to home-based businesses delivering healthy food and drinks, Jack and Greg discuss why Bangkok is now a much more hospitable place for the genuine health enthusiast than it once was. 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 act

Greg interviews David Robinson, co-founder of the Creative District Foundation, which promotes the mighty Chao Phraya River community for tourism and cultural purposes through the excellent website Bangkok River, which provides resources, history, and insight into the communities that line it. But before all this happened, David - a former resident of Sydney and London - felt the neighborhoods around the river in Bangkok were under-utilized and under-developed. (Greg and Ed wholeheartedly agree.) He decided that Bangkok needed an organization that united all the varied groups that had an interest in promoting these areas and BAM - Bangkok River Partners was formed.  Greg and David discuss the unique neighborhoods along the river, noting how the communities often vary by common profession or craft, while David also points to their great ethnic diversity. Both guys riff on the controlled craziness of Bangkok culture and the extent to which neighborhoods along the river exemplify this fact.  Last, David details

Greg and Ed return to their ‘Neighborhood Focus’ series with a review of the Chinatown-Talad Noi area of Bangkok, a neighborhood is near and dear to the boys’ hearts, as Greg used to live there, and back in the day he introduced Ed to the area’s many charms.  Greg begins with a mini-history of Chinatown and its many historic streets, most of which you can still walk on today. Ed summarizes Chinatown as ‘chaos with street food.’ Its popularity is extremely high with both Thais and foreigners but even during current COVID times with its dearth of farangs, the neighborhood is still crowded.  Speaking of food, Greg recommends Nai Lek Ouan, the ultimate noodle shop on Yaowarat Soi 11, while Ed throws his two cents in with Chijuya, a vegetarian sushi place off of Song Wat Road.  Despite not having many great opportunities for long-stay living, there are many small hostels and a few nice hotels, like the Grand China Hotel and the gorgeous Shanghai Mansion. Next, the guys herald the ‘Creative District’ along the rive

Ooooh, topical! This week, Greg and Ed discuss the unique role of teachers in Thai society, where educators occupy a uniquely reverential role, often in stark contrast to western countries, where it is ‘just another job.’ Ed notes that the issue of how teachers are treated is near and dear to his heart, given that he has spent the last twenty years teaching Thai students. But Ed makes clear that (in his opinion) there’s a contradiction between the type of independent-minded graduates that Thailand would like to create and a traditional education system that requires this level of reverence for teachers. It’s almost as if critical thinking and independent thought actually depend on disobedience (at least a little anyway). Greg reads an interesting passage on the history of Thai education that notes that monks originally worked as teachers, which leads to his theory that some of the extreme respect afforded monks was transferred to the concept of “a teacher” as they split off into their own profession. Ed concu

First, we want voicemails from our listeners! Become a friend on LINE (scan the QR Code below) and send us your thoughts, greetings, or an awesome joke.  In a great show for economics nerds and anyone just interested in how the Thai economy is faring, Dr. Jessica Vechbanyongratana returns to discuss the Thai economy during the pandemic and what - if anything - we can do to help the recovery. Spoiler: not much  Beginning with anecdotes of how economists were already predicting a bad 2020 at the end of 2019, Greg and Jessica get into just how badly the economy is doing with stats on some of Thailand’s major sectors. On top of that, the Thai GDP is down 12% and meets the official definition of a recession. Unemployment numbers look a little better but are difficult to evaluate due to Thailand’s very large informal economy.  Next, Greg and Jessica get into the Thai government’s response to the worsening economy and the good and bad moves they have made, from efforts to reduce interest rates on loans to attempts t

After a brief intro explaining the podcast’s decision to accept advertising (within strict guidelines), Greg and Ed jump into a topic important to anyone travelling to Thailand: What are the most important Thai laws to know? Ed gives a quick lawyerly disclaimer: don’t rely on this podcast to make important decisions, but instead just use it as a guideline to do your own research and talk to a real lawyer. :) Next, Greg and Ed bring up ‘the enforcement problem’: as regular podcast listeners well know, many Thai laws are not frequently enforced or enforced haphazardly. On this show, however, we focus on laws that are usually or maybe even always enforced. In other words, knowing them has actual practical value during your stay in Thailand. In total, the guys go through ten categories of laws, ranging from the obvious but important, such as not criticizing the monarchy, to lesser known but equally valuable, such as the high fines for littering that have ruined many a visitor’s day, or what the increasing number

Greg interviews Jarrett Wrisley and Chalee Kader, well-known and successful restaurateurs in Bangkok. After quick bios, they begin by dispelling some myths about the restaurant business and explaining some of the harsh realities of competing in a big city such as Bangkok. Even during good times, it’s a tough business, but during the COVID era it is nearly impossible. Greg and the guys discuss strategies for surviving and how to bring customers back when things improve. There are also some great stories about genuine Wagyu beef cattle in Isaan (true story) and sourcing Nordic-bound rice from ex-communist farmers. Greg then asks about the changing tastes of Thai people, and the two experts discuss at length the nuances of the expanding Thai palette.  Last, the guys try their best to explain all the ‘ingredients’ that go into a successful restaurant experience, and although it would be great if it was always about the food, in fact many variables are at play. Our guests are two of the not-very-many business peop

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