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

Has it already been a whole year? Greg interviews former co-host Evo Terra, who has been back in the United States for one year since leaving Thailand. What does he miss? What doesn’t he miss? And more importantly - can Evo get his precious fish sauce in Phoenix? But before that, we gotta mention our giveaway of sweet, sweet jerky by Siam BBQ Company - listen to learn how you can win a box of free meat! (That sounds dodgy, but trust us, it’s delicious). Evo begins - naturally - with Thai food, saying that it’s everywhere but none tastes exactly like the food in Thailand. Nevertheless, he praises the cuisine of ‘Glai Ban,’ a local restaurant that is about as close as he can get to the real thing. Further, Evo has to run outside of Phoenix to a genuine Asian market for his Ma Ma noodle and (ack, ugh) fish sauce fix. Other comparisons are made too - healthcare, weather, and funerals. That’s right - Evo sighs when he remembers that his day was never ruined by funeral processions in Bangkok,  leading to a discussi

“The Land of Smiles” has been one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history. So much so, that many people come to Thailand thinking that every single person in the country is a smiling angel, and are shocked when someone is mean or tries to scam them. This is Greg’s theory anyway, and it’s one of many that he and Ed discuss as they ponder if Thailand really is deserving of its title as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Spoiler - both Greg and Ed think it probably is, but there are a few caveats. How does social structure dictate outward friendliness? Is there a difference between being friendly and being nice? And how much of this reputation comes from dumbass foreigners like us misinterpreting subtle social cues that are embedded deep in Thai culture? Much like one’s opinion of Thailand will be colored by their individual experience, so are Thais colored by their individual personalities, and a sweeping generalization - even a positive one - doesn’t do any country justice. As Greg su

Searching for some insight into how technology is shaping the next generation of Thais, Greg interviews Sueching Chin, a TV host, writer, editor, emcee, and media personality who focuses on technology in Thailand. Greg and Sueching begin with the unique way that Thais use social media such as LINE or Instagram to set up, manage, and advertise a small business, which is something not often seen outside of Thailand. This leads into a discussion about the limitations on social media in a country ruled by the military, and some clever ways Thais have found to work with them while still retaining a sense of independence. Sueching then shares a few Thai analogies for living in an online ‘bubble,’ and expresses her concerns about how young Thais will handle the world when they don’t regularly encounter enough new or challenging ideas. Along the way they discuss YouTube as an education medium (possibly one that’s replacing the traditional role of fathers), the Thai education system’s lack of preparedness for a digita

In a return to ‘Neighborhood Focus,’ Greg and Ed dive into the jam-packed area surrounding Sukhumvit Soi 55, aka Thong Lor, describing a recent night out they planned in order to give them a refresher on the quickly-evolving area. At the beginning of the soi near Thonglor BTS, Ed sings the praises of Hummus Boutique while Greg emphasizes the excellent street food and, on the other end of the cost spectrum, the rooftop bar Octave at the Marriott on Soi 57. Wotta view! Before entering the soi proper, the guys prepare themselves for ‘Little Japan’ (as Greg calls it) due to the shocking number of Japanese restaurants in the area, that their friend Paul (longtime resident of Thong Lor) said numbers over one hundred! The boys next discuss the plethora of expensive condos throughout the Thong Lor area and where to find some deals, as well as the multitude of mini-malls, like Eight Thonglor or hipster hangouts Seenspace and the Commons. Speaking of hipsters, Greg points out a bunch of premium cocktail bars including

In this episode, a curious Greg queries Ed about what it’s like to teach political science in Thailand, a country that has suffered two coups since the boys arrived and which has been under military rule for the last four years. Ed talks about his early days in the Kingdom, and his naive belief that Thailand had broken out of the ‘vicious cycle’ of semi-democracy and military intervention. Haha, silly Ed, because his happytime thoughts were followed, to his shock, by the 2006 coup and its following red/yellow dustups. Subsequently, Ed kept his mouth shut in class about Thai issues, while he tried to get his bearings. That only lasted until about 2013, when the endless dramas of street protests led Ed to finally snap. Since then, he has spoken his mind about Thai politics to his students on a regular basis. How has he (and his students) fared since? Ed has some very interesting stories to tell. (For what it’s worth, Greg - in his ‘most Buddhist moment yet’ - stopped caring about it all years ago, after getting

Greg interviews author and noted man-about-town Christopher G. Moore, who returns to the show after appearing in Episode 44 of Season 1. In a wide ranging and philosophical discussion, Greg and Christopher dive into all the bells, whistles, and otherwise that come up in the complicated, messy, and very rewarding journey to putting down a story on paper and making it relatable, exciting, and new. They discuss the creative process, the need for writers to create empathy in their characters, the effect of social media on attention span, ‘theory of mind,’ the endless intricacies of Bangkok, ‘free will,’ and how curated content on the Internet constantly feeds us things we are already interested in. Christopher also gives us a preview of his latest nonfiction work Rooms, which explores the way that living indoors has transformed human psychology and culture over the last six thousand years. ‘Narrow’ would not be a good word to describe Christopher’s endlessly curious mind! As always, the podcast will continue to b

In this episode, Greg and Ed discuss a very common issue among expats: how to find a good maid. While very common here, finding a maid is one of the most talked-about tasks when it comes to domestic logistics. The boys first frame the issue by pointing out that maids are much more common in Thailand than in the West and that many middle class people in Bangkok employ domestic help. Greg relates the awkwardness he felt while sitting around in his apartment while his maid cleaned because as a kid he was taught to always help out. Ed, on the other hand, admits he was pretty spoiled by his mother and sisters and that he jumped on the opportunity to get a maid as soon as he could. They discuss the difficulties in finding a good maid and trade embarrassing maid stories (most involving nudity). Greg eventually tells a friend’s ultimate uptight maid story, which you’ll have to listen to hear, but suffice it to say, if you have an adult movie collection, you might want to keep it under lock and key.   As always, the p

Ed welcomes back Marisa Cranfill, who was a guest on episode 61 of season 1, where she educated Greg and Tony with her deep knowledge on Thai spirit houses. This time Marisa - a long-time Bangkok resident and noted expert in various styles of yoga and meditation - tells her story of studying abroad in China for university and finding the traditional Chinese practice of ‘qigong’ or life energy mastery, which gave her a whole new perspective on life. Since then, she has spent her time between Bangkok and San Diego, studying Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga under teacher Adrian Cox at Yoga Elements Studio, as well as building her vipassana meditation practice with various teachers in Thailand and at the Little Bangkok Sangha. Marisa gives advice to beginners interested in yoga or meditation, stressing that the teacher is probably more important than the specific style, and she recommends two specific places in Bangkok: Yoga Elements Studio and the Little Bangkok Sangha. Marisa also explains her own unique integration of Yo

This week Greg interviews Drew Kamthong of MAQE, a digital consultancy that started as a web design firm that has transformed into a full blown consulting agency for a myriad of digital solutions. Drew talks about some of the challenges companies face in Thailand, particularly when they implement modern management techniques such as Scrum and a workplace culture that rewards full transparency and merit-based promotions. Drew explains MAQE’s unique system of ‘guilds and crews’ to train and reward their people, the nuances of hiring (and employing) Thai and foreign staff, and the confusing process of applying for the coveted BOI status - and the benefits it brings - in the fast-paced tech industry. 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 the annual Bangkok Podcast Christmas Blowout, with free gifts to all of our listeners! Well, that’s a complete lie, actually. But it IS Christmas, which means the boys feel compelled to discuss what it’s like to spend Christmas in Bangkok. From newbies experiencing their first working yuletide, to the sticky weather when it should be a winter wonderland, to most Thais shrugging their shoulders at the whole thing, Greg and Ed discuss how their own Christmas habits have evolved over the years, with Greg largely ignoring the holiday (with the exception of annually watching the film ‘Die Hard’) and Ed making efforts to keep it alive by having holiday dinners with friends and exchanging gifts with his wife and Thai in-laws. Greg does note though that as a new father he has re-discovered the holiday and made it a part of his young son’s life (although it’ll be a few years until he can watch Die Hard). The boys even throw in some speculative theology, from conspiracy theories about Jesus (India! France!) to the

This week the guys address a common concern of long term expats: how best to keep in touch with family and friends back home. That is...if you want to. We’re lucky that modern technology such as Facebook and Skype make it technologically easy to keep in touch, but the simple fact of being 5,000 miles away makes it impossible to keep track of the minutiae (and sometimes even the broad strokes) of people’s lives. Both Greg and Ed admit that some triage is required; difficult choices must be made about who to keep in touch with and who to drop. But surprise! After Greg complains about a friend back home who doesn’t answer emails, Ed admits the he is that guy. Ed discusses his guilt over doing such a bad job maintaining relationships even though (in theory) modern technology should make it easier. Although the boys don’t come up with any perfect answer to this problem, they air some thoughts and advice about how not to alienate important people back home. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by

In Thailand, there are plenty of household names, but not many of them bring a smile and a twinkle to the eye the way that “Mechai” does. If you’re unfamiliar with Mechai Varivaidya, you’re missing out. Known as Mr. Condom, Mechai’s career began in the 1970s when he became famous for traveling around the country giving out condoms - a truly unconventional (even controversial) thing to do at the time. His tireless promotion of condoms, family planning, and community health have made him a household name in every corner of the Kingdom; indeed, if you ask for a “Mechai” in 7-11, you will be given a box of condoms - a distinction he’s thoroughly proud of. Khuh Mechai also founded the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), one of Thailand’s largest NGOs, twice served as a senator, as Minister of Tourism, and a number of other high profile private and governmental roles too numerous to list here. In 2007 the PDA was given the Gates Award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in recognition of it

In Thailand, there are plenty of household names, but not many of them bring a smile and a twinkle to the eye the way that “Mechai” does. If you’re unfamiliar with Mechai Varivaidya, you’re missing out. Known as Mr. Condom, Mechai’s career began in the 1970s when he became famous for traveling around the country giving out condoms - a truly unconventional (even controversial) thing to do at the time. His tireless promotion of condoms, family planning, and community health have made him a household name in every corner of the Kingdom; indeed, if you ask for a “Mechai” in 7-11, you will be given a box of condoms - a distinction he’s thoroughly proud of. Khuh Mechai also founded the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), one of Thailand’s largest NGOs, twice served as a senator, as Minister of Tourism, and a number of other high profile private and governmental roles too numerous to list here. In 2007 the PDA was given the Gates Award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in recognition of it

Continuing our series on interesting episodes in Thai history, this episode focuses on the infamous Blue Diamond Affair, It all started when a Thai gardener named Kriangkrai Techamon, who was working in Saudi Arabia, decided to make off with $20 million worth of gems and jewelry belonging to a Saudi royal. Although the thief was caught shortly after his return to Thailand, he had already sold much of the loot, including the famed 50 karat ‘Blue Diamond.’ No problem - the gems were returned to Saudi Arabia and an apology issued. Case closed! But! Soon after the treasure was returned, Saudi authorities claimed that over half of the returned gems were fake, including the Blue Diamond. The Saudi authorities sent a special team of investigators to Bangkok to investigate...and what followed was a tale of murder, kidnapping, and black magic, with the ultimate result being a near-total diplomatic breakdown between the two countries that continues to this day. It’s a plot almost too twisty for Hollywood, but listen in

Anyone familiar with Southeast Asia knows how complicated the issue of refugees is. Thailand, as the wealthiest country in the region, plays an important role in this. To gain some insight into things, Ed interviews Ploy Singthainiyom, an expert on refugees in Thailand. Ploy explains that she has worked in Bangkok, northern Thailand, and the United States on various refugee issues, focusing on Burmese refugees from the Karen minority who have fled into Thailand and live in camps near the border. She explains how the issue of paperwork, citizenship, and even formal recognition as refugees is not as clear cut as you may think, which leaves refugees in a kind of limbo with limited options. Indeed, most are not permitted to enter Thailand proper, but also do not want to return to Burma, which leaves the long and daunting road of applying for refugee status in a third country, such as the United States, their only viable option. Ploy talks about this long process and discusses some of the current problems facing t

Hey guys, Greg here. I know this will only be of interest to some of you, but a few listeners pointed out that on the most recent show about our favorite farang food joints in Bangok, we said the upcoming meetup was on the 10th of November. Well, yes we did say that, but were VERY WRONG! The meetup is actually on Friday, 16th November at Smalls. You can find all the details on our Facebook page. Sorry about this short little podcastlet, but the next regular episode won't drop until after the 10th, so we wanted to make sure no one showed up on the wrong day. Sorry about the confusion, but if you're in town, we hope to see you on 16 November.

This week is a special on-location show at a Pizza Company restaurant in a highly secret, undisclosed location (to ensure the BP hosts are not mobbed by adoring fans), where Greg and Ed kick things off by daring to try the new ‘durian pizza.’ Alas, as anyone who listened to last week’s bonus show might know, neither Ed nor Greg are huge durian fans, so - what’s the verdict? You’ll have to listen to find out. The hosts then discuss the best places (in their not-so-humble opinions) to eat farang food in Bangkok, opinions accumulated over their nearly 40 combined years of living in Bangkok. Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese and and Japanese will all appear in a later episode, but pizza, burgers, Mexican, and Lebanese are all covered in great detail. From tiny little joins at the ass-end of long sois to bright, centrally located places known by many, it’s all in here. Did we miss some? Most certainly, but these are the ones that tide us over best when we jones for something other than Thai. As always, the podcast

To get some insight into Bangkok’s art scene, Greg interviews Nim Niyomsin, an independent art curator. She gives her views on the ups and downs of being an artist in a culture that is widely known as extremely creative, but which lacks the support and infrastructure other countries take for granted. For those not in the know, getting insight into the creative culture of Bangkok might seem difficult, but Nim says it’s really just a matter of putting a bit of research into it, and hitting the pavement. First stop - the BACC, where you can find resources, meet people, and pick up the all-important Bangkok art map. They also discuss how the lack of government support has pushed the artists to build their own support networks, how economics helps shape the community, and why 2018 - with the Bangkok Art Biennale and the Thailand Biennale, among other events - is a very important year in the continuing development of Thailand’s creative culture. This jives with the amazing art Greg saw at the Museum of Contemporary

The Victory Monument area of Bangkok is unique in that it combines the old - the monument itself is of a Thai victory against the French in WWII - and the new - the skytrain and multiple modern condo developments. Click here to see a great blog by Greg where you can compare old and new photos of the same area - including the Victory Monument, taken in 1946. Greg uses the compass to circle around Victory Monument, describing the various areas that surround the chaotic transport hub. One nearly universal theme is great street food, as an apparently unlimited number of Thais seem to live and work in the area. Another gem is of course Saxophone Pub, probably the most well known live music venue in all of Thailand (but check who’s playing before you go!). Just around the corner is Soi Rangnam, packed with street food, restaurants, condos, and a unique mix of both Thais and foreigners heading to dine, drink, see movies, and shop at the iconic King Power HQ - although you’re not allowed to leave with any of the mer

A common dream for many expats in Thailand is to open their own bar or restaurant. Ed interviews Matthew Fischer, a local restaurateur and bar owner, who has successfully started two bars in Bangkok - Fatty’s on Rama IX, and the Fat Tap off of Ekkamai. Matthew recounts the trials and tribulations that took Fatty’s from a mere whisper of an idea to a six-year Bangkok institution. But it certainly ain’t for everyone - Matthew’s tale is a cautionary one. Long hours in the kitchen, the stress of finding the right location, and the complications of working with your partner all present real (but surmountable) obstacles. Even with his success, he insists that bars are bad as pure investments - but there is a bright side: foreigners with a true passion can succeed at starting their own bar or restaurant in Thailand. Matthew has taken his Wisconsin cuisine of burgers and beers (and lots of cheese) and transplanted it to the other side of the world, giving Thais, expats, and tourists the taste of real, homegrown Ameri