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

Greg interviews Midnight Poonkasetwattana and Inad Rendon, the Executive Director and Program Director at APCOM, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of gay men who are facing discrimination. We begin by raising the issue of the image of Thailand as a very gay-friendly place. Does the reality match the reputation? According to Midnight, in some ways, because Thai culture is less confrontational and LGBTQI people in Thailand are unlikely to face violence. However, Midnight notes that the West often provides legal protections lacking in Thailand, such as same-sex marriage or partnership rights.  Inad tells his story of living in the Philippines as a gay and HIV-positive man, and the differences between his past life and what it’s like living in Thailand. In general, the Philippines was more conservative and traditional, given the influence of Catholicism and Islam. But Inad concurs that it’s a mistake to think of Thailand as a gay paradise. Check out TestBKK for more info on what’s being done in th