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

Ed interviews Emily from Calgary, Canada, a unique ‘expat’ in Thailand if there ever was one. Emily was born 19 years ago in Nong Khai, Thailand, to a Canadian father and Thai mother, and spent the first years of her life as a look-kreung kid in Issaan. But her parents relocated to Calgary where she quickly assimilated and became a full-on Canadian. She went to grade school and high school there, only to have her parents retire back to Nong Khai earlier this year, with Emily in tow. Ed asks Emily about her Thai language abilities, and Emily explains that it’s technically her first language and that her mother has spoken to her in Thai her whole life. However, after about 4 years in Canada, Emily somehow lost her ability to speak Thai, and today feels little better than a beginner. The two discuss how weird it is for Emily to see her Thai family but to be unable to speak to them, forcing her to communicate largely in sign language. But never fear - she’s hopeful that she’ll get it back soon. Emily also talks a