The Bangkok Podcast
Online since 2010! Greg Jorgensen and Ed Knuth have been knocking around Bangkok since the turn of the century. Exploring dark corners, eating amazing food, and interacting with fascinating people, the two have gotten to know and love Thailand's capital in all its confusing, mysterious glory. Every week they chat about topics near and dear to those living here, those visiting here, or those who are just curious about what it's like to live in Asia's craziest city. Want to explore Bangkok on your own? Check out Greg's self-guided audio tours on Voice Map! https://voicemap.me/publisher/greg-jorgensen
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Justin Dunne on Bangkok's Red-Hot Culinary Scene [S8.E2]
07/08/2025
Justin Dunne on Bangkok's Red-Hot Culinary Scene [S8.E2]
Greg interviews repeat guest Justin Dunne, who previously appeared on Season 6, Episode 24, discussing his cool side project ‘Bangkok Haunts.’ Justin’s main gig is to be a legend of the Food & Beverage scene in Bangkok, having been the GM of the epic Bed Supperclub back in the day, and many more bars and restaurants between then and now. Oh yeah, he’s also the head of F&B consultancy . The guys begin by discussing Bangkok’s rise in status as a culinary capital. Justin contends there are many factors, not least of which is Bangkok’s ability to capture Michelin ratings, which is a traditional way to get on the international stage for great food. Another explanation is the shift in Bangkok away from the previous sole emphasis on street food to more diverse, upscale offerings. And last, food shows on TV and the Internet, including high-profile foodies such as Anthony Bourdain, had an effect. Justin also mentions other significant milestones in the development of the food scene in Bangkok. One is the shift towards employing both Burmese and Filipino staff, which helped change the customer service culture more towards an international standard. Another is the rise of food delivery services and the embrace of technology, such as QR codes, which have reduced the friction points so much that the motivation for cooking at home is reduced. In short, Bangkok has a restaurant culture where a high percentage of people from all walks of life are either eating out or ordering in. Combined with relatively low prices compared to other international capitals, you have the recipe for a food paradise. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Looking Back, Looking Forward: What's Next for S8 [S8.E1]
07/01/2025
Looking Back, Looking Forward: What's Next for S8 [S8.E1]
Greg and Ed introduce Season 8 of the podcast first by looking back and all that has been achieved. Greg runs through some crazy stats, just a few of which are that there have been a total of 885 shows and more than 1.6 million (!) total streams or downloads. Insane! Next, the guys check in with Season 1 co-host Tony Joh and frequent podcast guest Phra Phandit. Tony relates his journey first to Japan and then back to Canada, and his business of vlogging his solo motorcycle adventures. Luckily he’s doing great, and Greg and he shared some early podcast stories. Phra Pandit then tells his own Canada story and brings us up to date on his various retreat projects. Last, Greg and Ed do a Zoom call with the podfather himself, Evo Terra. Evo is at home in Arizona having recently returned from Belize. He recaps his EARLY career in podcasting for listeners new to the show and then brings us up to date on his business producing mainly fiction performance shows. The legend continues! The guys sign off with promises of great things to come in the new season. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Dating in Bangkok: Expat Women Share Their Stories - Part 1 [S7.E76] (Classic ReCast)
06/24/2025
Dating in Bangkok: Expat Women Share Their Stories - Part 1 [S7.E76] (Classic ReCast)
Greg and Ed do a first for the the show, with a panel discussion with four guests! Why four? Well, everyone knows that cliche about Bangkok being a heaven for expat men, but we didn’t know much about expat women. It stands to reason that one woman can’t speak for all women, so we upped the game a bit. After some introductions, we get into the meat of the show, with a myriad of stories that show how complex, nuanced, and (depending on the person) important the issue is to a life well lived in the capital. Among many other things, the ladies discuss the differences between the attention they get back home and what they get in Bangkok, what it’s like to date Thai men (and women), the quality of farang men in Thailand, and a host of other issues. There are also some hilarious(ly awful) Tinder stories, anecdotes about being approached on the street, issues that single moms have to deal with, discussion about western women who leave Thailand bitter and angry, and how Asian American women are treated in Thailand. Suffice it to say more than one can of worms are opened up in part one of a two-part mega interview. As always, the podcast will continue to be who get some special swag from us. And we’ll keep our , , and accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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Western Weddings vs Thai Weddings: Which is More Fun? [S7.E75]
06/17/2025
Western Weddings vs Thai Weddings: Which is More Fun? [S7.E75]
Greg and Ed discuss a fascinating question: Are Thai weddings or American weddings more fun? The question was raised after Greg attended the wedding of friend of the podcast Daniel Fraser. As everyone knows, Dan is a legit expert on travel in Thailand, in addition to being a bit of a celebrity in the country due to his appearances in various TV shows and movies. Greg noted that the experience reminded him how much more fun Thai weddings are than Western weddings, leading Ed to raise his eyebrows a bit and raise a few objections. Ed admits that Thai weddings can be very interesting due to their local cultural aspects, which would certainly apply to Dan’s well-choreographed affair. And, of course, all weddings can be heartfelt experiences due to your wishes for the bride and groom. But when it comes to FUN in the conventional sense of the term, Ed argues that most Thai weddings are nothing more than elaborate dinners and typically lack the band, the dancing, and the drunkenness that are de rigueur at most American weddings. For fun rather than formality, Ed opts for Western weddings. Greg begs to differ, however (as he did on his blog ‘Greg to Differ’), and argues that Isaan weddings can include frivolity from the get-go, including shots of ya dong or Thai moonshine in the a.m. (!) Ed concedes there’s no topping that, but theorizes that perhaps there’s a difference between the typical Bangkok wedding, which might be more Thai-Chinese, and the typical Isaan wedding, which might be more fun and informal. Perhaps Ed just needs to attend some weddings out in the provinces! Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Thai Tourism: Is the Downward Trend Here to Stay? [S7.E74]
06/10/2025
Thai Tourism: Is the Downward Trend Here to Stay? [S7.E74]
Greg and Ed discuss the recent troubling decrease in overall Thai tourism numbers. In general, since COVID, the Thai tourism industry has bounced back quite well, and projections were that 2025 numbers would exceed the pre-COVID peak of 39 million visitors. However, starting at the end of last year, numbers didn’t meet expectations, and since then the dip has become more severe. So what happened? The guys cycle through several different factors. First, the earthquake at the end of March certainly didn’t help matters, with many tourists canceling their trips for the Thai New Year in April. Second, and perhaps more concerning, several security incidents affecting Chinese tourists has led to a bit of a backlash in the largest source of tourists to Thailand. In particular, a Chinese celebrity was kidnapped and held for ransom, sparking fears that Thailand was not safe. Further, numerous stories of Burmese and Cambodian scam call centers that press foreigners into service have magnified the problem. Ed notes that while overall numbers have dipped, the numbers from most Western countries have risen in accord with projections. Hence, the problem is limited to Asian tourists. Greg points out that the ‘White Lotus Effect’ might be the kind of thing that sparks interest in Westerners, but not in Asians, who may already feel familiar with a tropical climate and many aspects of Thai culture. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Stolen English: A Few Words That Thai Has Fully Thai-ified [S7.E73]
06/03/2025
Stolen English: A Few Words That Thai Has Fully Thai-ified [S7.E73]
Greg and Ed tackle a frustrating aspect of learning Thai - borrowed English words that are pronounced according to the rules normally applied to native Thai words. Ed makes clear they are not just talking about accent or ‘prosody’ - the cadence of pronunciation - but actually specific changes to pronunciation that are part of the rules of the Thai language. Examples are the best teacher so the guys jump right in. Ed begins with the all-time classic of ‘check bin,’ based on the two English words ‘check’ and ‘bill.’ The only problem is that in Thai, when a word ends in the Thai letter that sounds like ‘l’ (‘Law Ling’), it is pronounced like an ‘n,’ so by English rules, the pronunciation is completely different than the spelling. But welcome to the Thai language! Greg continues with ‘foot bawn,’ following the same rule, and Ed then discusses ‘of-fit,’ from the English word ‘office,’ which actually comes from the fact that Thais don’t end words with a an ‘s’ or soft ‘c’ sound, but instead replace it with a ‘t.’ The guys continue, running through many more minefields and intricacies of the pronunciation of loan words, with the help of Greg’s wife, who gives a baseline example in Thai. To top it off, Greg and Ed bring on special guest Jon, an old friend of the podcast, with a classic story about the difficulties of correctly hearing English words in Thai. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Making Thai Subtitles: Culture, Slang & Curse Words [S7.E72] (Classic ReCast)
05/27/2025
Making Thai Subtitles: Culture, Slang & Curse Words [S7.E72] (Classic ReCast)
In this month's Classic Recast, Greg interviews Palm, a professional translator of English to Thai, but in a very specific context: subtitles for film and television. Palm begins by explaining that she literally learned English by being a couch potato and watching a lot of Western TV shows and movies, surviving by figuring out the subtitles word by word. This led naturally to an interest in doing it for a living, and lo and behold, her dream came to when she got a job translating for MTV Thailand. Eventually, this led to translating for a major video distribution company (which shall remain anonymous). Greg quizzes Palm on the difficulties of her job and how she can possibly find Thai equivalents for all the weird expressions and slang in English. Palm notes that this in fact makes her job fun, as she often has to do research to first make sure she has the proper understanding in her own head before she can determine the best Thai equivalent. Unsurprisingly, curse words are quite difficult, and Greg and Palm discuss some rude expressions and how Palm approaches translating them. They also discuss the difference between simply translating a word, and translating intentions, concepts, and context. Apply this to, say, hip-hop culture, or RuPaul’s show “Drag Race”, and you can see where it becomes difficult! Palm concludes with some advice for wannabe subtitlers, so listen in for some excellent career guidance if you are so inclined. 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.
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Are Int'l School Fees a Scam? Stu Jay Raj Crunches the Numbers [S7.E71]
05/20/2025
Are Int'l School Fees a Scam? Stu Jay Raj Crunches the Numbers [S7.E71]
After his , Greg and Ed interview Stu Jay Raj, the podcast’s Thai language expert, but this time Stu explains his new video and website discussing the cost of international school in Thailand. As most people are aware, the Thai public school system is not particularly strong, especially for students looking for a solid education in English. Hence, there is a demand for education in English up to an international standard among both Thais and foreigners in Thailand. Here’s the rub: the quality of international schools themselves varies a lot, and they can get VERY expensive. But - Stu wanted to try a thought experiment - what if you were to take the exorbitant fees associated with international schools in Thailand and invest it instead? Stu explains that he used his coding expertise to scrape the websites of dozens of international schools in Thailand for as much school fee information as he could find. With that information, where you can see the total costs over a number of years of sending your child to a particular school. Of course, it’s not that easy to simply school your kid through other means and put a bunch of money away, but it poses an interesting question - would your kid be better off graduating from an international school, or being given several million dollars in their mid-20s? The guys discuss the various ramifications and a new way to look at the ROI of an education. The answer isn’t always obvious as the guys discover. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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A Few Western Staples Thai Cuisine Refuses to Embrace [S7.E70]
05/13/2025
A Few Western Staples Thai Cuisine Refuses to Embrace [S7.E70]
Thai cuisine is remarkably good at adopting flavors and ingredients into its fold, but there are some that just have not made the cut. In a city where you can find almost any type of food from around the world, certain Western foods seem to get embraced by Thais, while others don’t. For example, while not SUPER popular, both pizza and hamburgers are eaten regularly by the locals. But what things haven’t made the cut? First, Greg brings up cheese, especially of the stinky variety. Outside of pizza, Thais rarely eat cheese and haven’t really incorporated it into their own cuisine. Although excellent cheese is available, especially in gourmet markets, it’s more of a passing fancy rather than the obsession it is in the West. Second, Ed mentions bread, which opens up a bit of debate among the guys. Ed contents Thais don’t really eat sandwiches, hence sliced sandwich bread is not very popular. Further, ‘table’ bread, Italian-style, is not very common. But Greg notes that his Thai wife does like to snack on bread, so perhaps bread plays more of a role in-between meals than the central role it plays back home. The guys then run through six more very common Western foodstuffs that Thais eat but haven’t fallen in love with. PS - While at a water stop on a bike ride last week, Greg told his buddy Wim about this episode, mentioning cheese and bacon. Wim happened to look to next to him, and hold up a packet of macaroni cheese and bacon, highlighting the fact that the topic is never a cut-and-dry case. (pic below) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Phra Pandit Joins to Discuss the Mixing of Monks and Politics [S7.E69]
05/06/2025
Phra Pandit Joins to Discuss the Mixing of Monks and Politics [S7.E69]
Greg interviews Phra Pandit about Buddhist monks and politics. Greg begins by framing the issue around the recent tumultuous nature of politics around the world. Could Buddhist calmness provide an answer? Well, Phra Pandit begins by making clear that under the rules of the Sangha as interpreted in Thailand, monks are definitely not permitted to become politicians or really work for the government in any capacity. In fact, Thai monks in general are not supposed to even express opinions about politics as monks are seen as above the worldly nature of politics. Phra Pandit does note however that not every country is the same. In Sri Lanka, monks are notoriously political, forming their own parties, and participating in marches and protests. Phra Pandit explains that different cultures have resulted in the rules governing monks being interpreted in different ways. In Thailand, technically the King is the head of Thai Buddhism, and the King of course is above politics. Perhaps this role model helps to explain the Thai interpretation of the rules. Phra Pandit does explain, however, that famous politicians have become monks upon leaving politics, as a symbolic way of atoning for their sins. The two continue with more examples of how monks interact with the government without getting directly involved in political affairs.
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Gotcha! Ten Situations When the Score is Bangkok 1, You 0 [S7.E68] (Classic Recast)
04/29/2025
Gotcha! Ten Situations When the Score is Bangkok 1, You 0 [S7.E68] (Classic Recast)
Bangkok’s a big city that’s got her own rules. You can try to fight them, but in the end, in certain situations, no matter how much you beg and plead, Bangkok wins, and you lose. Greg and Ed discuss ten ways Bangkok can own you: frustrating ‘gotchas’ that are devilishly difficult to avoid. Even veterans of the city with tons of experience still sometimes forget the nuance or fail to think about the what-ifs and end up standing there like a fool, muttering under their breath. This still definitely happens with Greg and Ed, so if you don’t want to get burned on your next visit to Thailand, keep these in mind - learned from cold, hard experience. From sidewalk squirts and freezing aircon to improper documentation and lack of change in a taxi, Greg and Ed recount multiple ways you can get ‘got’ in the Land of Smiles. Sometimes you beat Bangkok, but sometimes the city owns YOU. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our , , and accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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Action Figure Overload: How Accurate Are the Thai Versions of the Viral AI Trend? [S7.E67]
04/22/2025
Action Figure Overload: How Accurate Are the Thai Versions of the Viral AI Trend? [S7.E67]
Greg and Ed jump on the bandwagon and discuss the recent trend of images of ‘action figures’ generated by AI. ChatGPT especially seems quite good at creating semblances of plastic blister packs filled with dolls and accessories that might go along with them. Hence, the guys take a look at 9 different images based on Thai stereotypes before offering images of their own action figures, which AI helpfully created for them. Figures include such classic stereotypes as a ‘Pattaya Old Boy,’ a Content Creator in Thailand, a Bar Girl, a Chiang Mai Expat, a White Guy in Pai, etc. The guys go through each image and discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and find a surprising amount of nuance and insight into Thai culture in a few of them. The show ends with each discussing the other’s action figure - while Greg’s looked like an actual doll (though a particularly ripped one) Ed’s looked exactly like Ed - just shrinkwrapped. Listen in to hear what accessories each of their action figures came with. Enjoy! :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Interesting Friends And Strange Characters: Expat Connections [S7.E66]
04/15/2025
Interesting Friends And Strange Characters: Expat Connections [S7.E66]
Greg and Ed discuss some interesting expats they have met over the years - both good and bad - and what lessons they have managed to glean from them. Thailand is a bit of a strange stew of expats; with many different types of people coming together in a foreign land, you are apt to meet and/or befriend people in Thailand that you never would back home. The results can be positive or negative, but either way, there can be lessons to be learned. Greg begins with an anecdote he’s mentioned on the show before, about ‘VP,’ a random character that took Greg to a party filled with U.N. people. Although the people there were ‘interesting’ in the sense that they were educated and well-traveled, Greg felt their snobbery at his low status in Thailand intensely and had to bail. He learned that there is a bit of an unspoken ‘expat strata’ in Bangkok and that people can - fairly or unfairly - place you within that strata no matter where you meet them. Ed counters with a story of a Swedish friend, who although being a great guy in Thailand, ended up being deported back to Sweden for old legal problems. Ed woke up to the fact that when you meet expats later in life, you have no idea what kind of baggage they have from earlier in life. Greg then brings up an old coworker named Seth, who was fairly normal in the daytime, but who Greg realized was deeply embedded into the seedier side of Bangkok’s nightlife. The takeaway: not all foreigners just dip their toes into the redlight districts; some dive in and never get out, and if you’re not careful, you can be pulled along with them. Ed finishes with an unfortunate anecdote about an American friend who was prominent in the expat community in Thailand until he suffered a serious illness and had to return to the United States. The experience made Ed realize that nothing is permanent, and although your expat life might SEEM solid, some bad luck could cause you to be yanked back home. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Myanmar Quakes & Bangkok Shakes: Thoughts on the March 28 Earthquake [S7.E65]
04/08/2025
Myanmar Quakes & Bangkok Shakes: Thoughts on the March 28 Earthquake [S7.E65]
Greg and Ed address the unavoidable topic du jour: the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 that was felt all the way to Bangkok. Greg begins by pointing out that even though much ink and many words have already been spilled on the topic, listeners may be concerned about traveling to Bangkok now or the safety of Bangkok’s buildings in general. They guys decide to do their civic duty and chime in. First, they relate their personal stories - Ed was at home first thought he was getting dizzy (and old) but after realizing it was an earthquake mainly went about his day as normal. Greg was in his office when it hit, and he and his colleagues calmly evacuated the building. Subsequently, they both experienced the insane traffic conditions - Ed took an hour and 45 minutes to get from Khao San to Thong Lor and Greg took almost three hours to get from his office in Hua Mak to his home in Thonburi. Ouch! Lesson: when the BTS and MRT shut down, stay off the roads as much as possible. 🙂 The guys then consider the government’s response to the event and the durability of Bangkok’s buildings. Ed notes that while a single building collapsing certainly is a tragedy, he is surprised many more didn’t go down given how old some Bangkok neighborhoods are. Greg points out that Thai people in general are quite good at remaining calm in a crisis, given the number of floods, coups and riots they have been through. Last, at least for now, the Thai government seems to be taking very seriously the task of figuring out exactly why one building did collapse and determining who is to blame. Both guys agree Bangkok appears to be as safe as ever. :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Sopping, Soggy, Sodden, Soaking Songkran: The Thai New Year is Here! [S7.E64]
04/01/2025
Sopping, Soggy, Sodden, Soaking Songkran: The Thai New Year is Here! [S7.E64]
With the big holiday nearly here, Greg and Ed reminisce about their various Songkran experiences over the years. Ed notes that last year was a breakthrough year: he actually went out and ‘threw water’ for the first time in many years and had a blast. Greg points out that it’s pretty common for expats to love Songkran at first, but then quickly switch to avoiding the raucous celebrations for many years. Greg has found special Songkran celebrations specifically designed to be kid-friendly, which has allowed him to keep in touch with the experience without a lot of the craziness. Ed recounts his very first Songkran experience in Chiang Mai, a pivotal moment in his early years in Thailand as it was an amazingly good time that included three full days of brutal water wars. Ever since then he has been ‘chasing the dragon’ of that first experience. Greg then uses AI to do some insightful comparisons between Songkran of 2005 and Songkran of 2025. The AI does a fairly good job of noting the transition of the holiday from being primarily local to being now well-known around the world, and one in which the prior emphasis was on traditional family ritual while today the experience is much more professionalized and commercial. Also check out the photo of a very young Greg at his first Songkran, with his friend Amanda. Oh to be young and wrinkle-free again! Regardles of how it has changed, Songkran remains a defining Thai experience not to be missed by tourists and expats. Just bring a good attitude and prepare to get soaked! Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Second Opinions & Jedi Lies: Stories From Bangkok's Hospitals [S7.E63] (Classic Recast)
03/25/2025
Second Opinions & Jedi Lies: Stories From Bangkok's Hospitals [S7.E63] (Classic Recast)
A fabulous re-cast episode from season 3! Sooner or later, we all spend some time in the hospital, so Greg and Ed riff on their myriad experiences in Bangkok hospitals over the years. But before we get into that, we should note - due to Thailand’s strict defamation laws, some of the places we talk about will remain nameless. But with that out of the way, we can say that Thailand in general has pretty good medical care, and it is standard advice for travelers in neighboring countries to get over the border into Thailand if they have any medical problems. But, as Ed notes, Thailand does not have very good legal protections against medical malpractice: if a doctor makes a mistake, don’t expect significant financial compensation from the Thai justice system. Greg and Ed then trade anecdotes about their own experiences in the Thai medical system, each with some good and bad things to say. Ed’s life has been literally saved by competent doctors; Greg passed himself off as a Jedi in lieu of a real religion; both have been saved a ton of grief by getting a second opinion. Your mileage may vary, but both Greg and Ed agree, as a pure value proposition (i.e. what you get for the money), Thailand, though far from perfect, is a pretty good deal. Listen in for some great advice on how to maximize your chances of getting a good experience at a Bangkok hospital.
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The Russians are Coming! What the Influx Means for Phuket [S7.E62]
03/18/2025
The Russians are Coming! What the Influx Means for Phuket [S7.E62]
Greg and Ed discuss the massive influx of Russians (and some Ukrainians) into Thailand, particularly the island of Phuket. Numerous stories have been written in the last year about the unusually high number of long-stay tourists and expats who appear to be escaping the conflict in Europe, calling the trend an ‘invasion’. No doubt the sunny climes, pleasant smiles, and great food of Thailand provide a tempting alternative for those who have the means to make the journey. Ed begins by noting that the Tourism Authority of Thailand seems to be welcoming the growth in tourism that the wave from Russia represents. Concerns over rebuilding after COVID are largely over - Phuket in particular is largely swamped and certainly the economic benefits are welcome after the several years of privation due to the pandemic. But are there downsides? A recent article notes that the average cost of condos in Phuket has doubled in recent years and that in turn has affected the rental market. Simply put, if you are planning a trip to Phuket these days, expect a significantly more expensive venture than in years past. Another problem according to the news is Russians building their own self-sustaining communities. While understandable, some have turned to work that violates Thai laws restricting certain professions to Thai citizens, such as working as tour guides and real estate agents. Greg notes that fast changes such as this are very likely to draw a response from the government, which appears to be forthcoming given the amount of press the issue is receiving. At the very least, Greg points out at least one listener of the podcast who had previously been planning a trip to Phuket but who has now reconsidered. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Bangkok Pains: Distilling Bangkok Into a Board Game [S7.E61]
03/11/2025
Bangkok Pains: Distilling Bangkok Into a Board Game [S7.E61]
Greg interviews Tim Swainson and his team at creative agency about their Thai-centric board game, ‘Bangkok Pains.’ The show begins with introductions from the creative team at Invisible Ink, and Tim then gets into explaining the game. The first rule of Bangkok Pains is that all players start in debt, mirroring the plight of many Bangkokians, both natives and foreigners. There are the standard board game pieces, in this case, everything from an iconic plastic chair to a bottle of fish sauce and a plate of Som Tum. Each player then picks a ‘career card’ to see their job and salary (Greg manages to be a professional gamer with a monthly salary of 30,000 baht, while other players score careers such as influencer, DJ, and plastic surgeon) as well as a property card, which determines where you’ll live, and which track on the board game you’ll follow on your way to work (car or BTS). As the group plays, they discuss where the game idea came from, how it was developed, and the endless rounds of testing that went into finding the right balance of playability, benefits, and penalties. How did they manage to distill all of Bangkok into a board game? Listen in for details - or better yet, buy the game yourself, get some drinks, and invite a few friends to play! Listen in for an endless supply of Thai and Bangkok nuggets of trivia and insight into how the game was developed. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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How Thick is Your Bubble? Piercing the Thai/Expat Barrier [S7.E60]
03/04/2025
How Thick is Your Bubble? Piercing the Thai/Expat Barrier [S7.E60]
Following a great suggestion from listener Kelly, Greg and Ed discuss the ‘expat bubble,’ the tendency for expats (and tourists) to primarily spend time with foreigners, rather than experience the same Bangkok that the majority of Thais are experiencing. Kelly noted that on her recent solo travels in Bangkok, she often found truly Thai markets that were very cheap with delicious food but also that she was the only Westerner there. Certain other cheap food courts, such as those in Big C, would have a more mixed customer base. What gives? Greg and Ed do their best to untangle the mystery. Perhaps the ‘super-Thai’ markets appeared too dirty to anyone but long-term expats, with tiny plastic chairs sitting among random detritus, food apparently kept sitting out too long, and the potential of random vermin running across your feet. Or could it be the expected lack of English and the social awkwardness of functioning among Thai who might not be used to tourists and foreigners? This certainly kept Greg from experiencing ‘real’ Thailand during his first wasted half-year in Chiang Mai. The boys note that a lot of what’s going on might just boil down to personality type. Some of us expats and tourists are just naturally more adventurous and willing to put up with some embarrassment in order to try something new. While others stick to the predictable path, if not Starbucks or McDonald’s, then a ‘Thai’ food court in a clean, international mall. In the end, Greg and Ed make the case for reminding yourself that perhaps 80% of Thais in Bangkok rarely interact with foreigners, and it’s their lives that actually constitute the ‘real’ Thailand. So if you want to experience something really new and different and not just safe, it’s probably worth giving some of those crowded, hot and grimy markets a go. At the very least, you’ll save money and eat well! :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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George Dupont: The Only Thai to Fight in the US Civil War [S7.E59] (Classic Recast)
02/25/2025
George Dupont: The Only Thai to Fight in the US Civil War [S7.E59] (Classic Recast)
We recount the fascinating story of George DuPont, the only Thai person who fought in the American Civil War. The first record of George in the U.S. is in 1859, but almost nothing is known of how or why he ended up in the United States. We know that in 1862 he volunteered for a New Jersey regiment to fight for the North in the American Civil War. Shockingly, he fought in and survived the battles of Antietam, Chancellorville, and Gettysburg, three of the bloodiest battles of the war. He was eventually naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1869. He subsequently returned to Thailand, or Siam as it was known, and worked a variety of jobs, from writer for an English language newspaper to a drillmaster to a timber dealer. He died at age 56, and you can still see his grave in the Bangkok Protestant Cemetery on Charoen Krung 72/5. George DuPont represents a fascinating glimpse into the lives of early Thai immigrants to America. Greg and Ed surmise that there must have been immigrants before him, equally or more interesting! One way or another, we’ll find them and tell their stories on the Bangkok Podcast. :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our , , and accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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Ajarn Ed: Explaining America to Thai University Students [S7.E58]
02/18/2025
Ajarn Ed: Explaining America to Thai University Students [S7.E58]
Greg questions Ed about his main job - teaching ‘American Studies’ to Thai college students. Effectively, Ed’s job and his side gig (the podcast) are opposites of each other, given that he is attempting to explain Thai society and culture to foreigners on the podcast. Ed begins with America 101 - basic lessons about the U.S. that every Thai person should know, especially before traveling there. First, the U.S. is physically a VERY big country, but also quite diverse. The Northeast is quite different from the Midwest, which is in turn different from the South, which differs from the West Coast, etc. Hence, Ed notes that the U.S. is actually a difficult country to generalize about, and some of his students grapple with the concept. For instance, life in an urban city can be completely different from life in the suburbs or rural area, despite both being in the U.S. Second, the U.S. has a violent crime problem, and Thais should be very careful where and when they go somewhere, especially in cities. While the country overall is ‘safe’ in the general sense, that’s not true at all times and in all places. And last, health care in the U.S. is VERY expensive, and no one should travel there without health insurance. ‘Nuff said. Greg then asks Ed about cultural lessons, and Ed notes that often American culture is best explained as the reverse of Thai culture. The U.S. is individualistic, while Thailand is group-oriented. The U.S. is legalistic and ‘low context’, while Thailand is ‘flexible’ about the law and ‘high context.’ And of course, Americans are more direct and engaging than Thais, who tend to be ‘shy’ and hang back, especially with strangers. No culture is inherently ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than any other, but that doesn’t mean they are all the same. :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Hmmm…A Few Things About Bangkok That Are Over & Underrated [S7.E57]
02/11/2025
Hmmm…A Few Things About Bangkok That Are Over & Underrated [S7.E57]
Greg and Ed discuss various aspects of Bangkok that they believe are either overrated or underrated. The guys start with things that they believe get too many props. Greg mentions the Grand Palace and the Damnoen Saduak floating market that tend to be too touristy and overcrowded, but that there are unsung superior alternatives where tourists could better spend their time. Ed counters with Thai customer service, which he credits for being genuinely warm but which he believes is often unprofessional, at least outside of five-star hotels. Greg then brazenly brings up Pad Thai, which has never floated his boat regardless of its reputation. For Ed, he thinks Thai temples are overrated in general, at least beyond the main ones that everyone should go to at least once. Greg then goes deep with a critique of the emphasis Thais place on ‘respect,’ especially for older people out of course. That’s probably a good topic for a whole show. For underrated, the guys cover things such as various museums, some financial management options (that a lot of foreigners don’t know about), taxis, and Thailand outside of the main tourist areas. Listen in if you want all the inside info! :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Redefining What A Modern Family Means in Thailand [S7.E56]
02/04/2025
Redefining What A Modern Family Means in Thailand [S7.E56]
Continuing the exploration of some of the unexpectedly progressive moves that Thailand makes from time to time, Greg interviews his friend Jacob, an American, and his husband Geng, a Thai, about their marriage in Thailand as two men and their efforts to build a family through surrogacy. The couple begins by relating how they met and began dating, and Jacob adds that even at that stage he was looking into becoming a single father through some type of surrogacy. Luckily Geng was on board, and they began researching different clinics worldwide. They settled on a clinic in Colombia that they felt was very professional and transparent. With a baby (the genetic son of Jacob) on the way, they decided to make their relationship legal, but at that time, same-sex marriages were still unrecognized in Thailand. Hence, they chose an online marriage in the U.S. state of Nevada. Now legal, they were then able to take their Colombian-born son back to Thailand. While there were no problems actually entering Thailand, their son was only recognized as an American tourist, with no legal connection to Geng. The guys then explain that they plan to repeat the process with a genetic child of Geng, so they eventually hope to have two children. The next step then will be having their marriage legalized in Thailand, and finally they hope to secure the legal status of their children. Whew! Talk about pushing the boundaries of a ‘conservative Buddhist’ country. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Bangkok's Craft Brew Godfather: A Chat with Khun Chit [S7.E55] (Classic Recast)
01/28/2025
Bangkok's Craft Brew Godfather: A Chat with Khun Chit [S7.E55] (Classic Recast)
Greg interviews the fascinating Wichit Saiklao, godfather of craft beer in Thailand and founder of , 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 have to accept as a fact of life. Greg, Scott and Khun Chit discuss the community of brewers that he has fostered and spread around the country, his ignoble first attempts at brewing, and what drives him forward. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our , , and accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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What Changes Would Ed Make if He Was in Charge of Thailand? [S7.E54]
01/21/2025
What Changes Would Ed Make if He Was in Charge of Thailand? [S7.E54]
Greg and Ed engage in a bit of fantasy as Ed imagines what he would do if he were the Prime Minister (or maybe more accurately, dictator) of Thailand. Ed begins with the caveat that he can only see the world through his own eyes, so his dream policies probably will not align with the average Thai person or maybe even most foreigners. Ed presents a total of ten changes he would make to the country if he could, and Greg gives wise counsel for each proposal. In no particular order, Ed suggests building a modern prison system to buttress the rule of law, making significant investments in the riverfront, completing the Kra Canal Project, and eliminating dual pricing nationwide. He also emphasizes the need to modernize the laws that govern expats in Thailand, which seem to have been written in the Dark Ages. To top it off, Ed strongly prefers the old-school elephant flag to the current three-striped flag, and he’d rather the country be formally known as Siam due to the racist origins of the name ‘Thailand.’ Greg is impressed with the depth of Ed’s plans and vows to come up with his own suggestions. Some day. :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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What's It Like Being An Exchange Student in Thailand? [S7.E53]
01/14/2025
What's It Like Being An Exchange Student in Thailand? [S7.E53]
Greg interviews our new friend Jannik Hiller about his experience as an exchange student in Thailand. Jannik explains that while a university student, he decided he wanted to do an exchange year in a country completely different from his native Germany, so he settled on Thailand, despite never having been here before. Greg wonders about the quality of education in Thailand versus Germany, and Jannik explains that he was willing to sacrifice some academic quality just for the experience of traveling and living in a foreign land. Jannik then recounts his first month in the country, getting ready for school to start. After an initial shock, he fell in love with exploring Bangkok and acclimated to a dorm at Chulalongkorn University for international students. He talks about interacting with students from the U.S., Mexico, Japan, and Italy, a cosmopolitan experience that led him to pursue a Master’s Degree outside of Germany. Jannik then expounds on the differences in the academic experience: Thai university is more formal than in Germany, given that students have to wear uniforms and the professors are treated with more deference. Further, the courses involved more group work and presentations than his typical classes back home. Overall, Jannik’s experience at a Thai university was a very positive contrast to his typical European education, and with the help of the Bangkok Podcast, he has become a true Thai-phile (like the rest of us!). Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Keeping Resolutions in Bangkok: A Fool's Errand? [S7.E52]
01/07/2025
Keeping Resolutions in Bangkok: A Fool's Errand? [S7.E52]
Greg and Ed ring in 2025 with a difficult look back at their New Year’s Resolutions from 2024. They recognize the obvious: if you don’t keep your resolutions, you only have yourself to blame. But they try to answer the interesting question of whether Bangkok itself might make keeping certain resolutions more difficult. Ed begins with a confession that he mostly failed in his efforts to improve his Thai. His plan was to study a well-regarded PDF of common Thai expressions, and while he did succeed in having a Thai friend make some recordings, he didn’t spend much time actually studying them. His second resolution was to watch the top ten best Thai films of all time, and watch them in Thai with Thai subtitles. Again, although he downloaded some of the films, he blew off actually doing the hard work. Ugh. Greg fared somewhat better. Although he failed to watch a movie and read a book about key figures in Thai history, he did manage to spend more time at the Siam Society and develop a new hobby, the Japanese art of archery known as kyudo. Yea Greg! Ed’s last resolution involved an effort to establish a new ‘third place.’ In this case, some serious effort was put forth at a very Thai local gym, but Ed failed to make any meaningful connections and eventually couldn’t muster the motivation to keep going. Both guys conclude that expat life can make it difficult to keep these types of ‘self-improvement’ resolutions: expats tend to live in very self-contained bubbles that don’t make it easy to make significant changes to your life. Given this insight into the expat situation, in the end, it’s all on you to find a way to get it done. :) Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Looking Back, Looking Forward: What’s Next for BP in 2025 [S7.E51]
12/31/2024
Looking Back, Looking Forward: What’s Next for BP in 2025 [S7.E51]
In a year-end wrap up, Greg and Ed discuss their favorite shows of the year and some plans for the podcast in 2025. Ed begins by waxing rhapsodic over his early year interview with David Cluck, Hollywood assistant director who has been based in Bangkok for the last 10 years or so (S7, Ep. 6-7). The flow of the interview was aided by the fact that David and Ed are friends, but Ed points out that it’s rare to sit down with a friend and discuss their career in depth. As a film nerd, Ed (and Greg) enjoyed David’s experience and insider storytelling ability. Greg then brings up our episode on Bangkok in your 20s vs. Bangkok in your 50s (S7, Ep. 29). Greg enjoys having pearls of wisdom about living in Bangkok that only come from having lived in Thailand so long, and Ed appreciated the way the city’s pros have changed for him from the early days to his (now) fifty-ish lifestyle. Next, Ed mentioned his other favorite interview show, with Ron Weaver, ‘American-Thai Guy’ (S7, Ep. 11-12). Both Ed and Greg enjoyed Ron’s personality and insights, and the fact that his experience as an African-American guy gave him a different take on expat life in Thailand. Greg’s next favorite episode was the one on ‘Expat Math,’ our attempt to understand Bangkok with various theories and equations (S7, Ep. 16). There’s no denying Bangkok’s chaotic nature, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely random, and the guys enjoy trying to wrap their heads around the City of Angels and come up with some guiding principles. Ed’s last favorite episode was his take on Bangkok vs. Hong Kong (S7, Ep. 24). As someone who doesn’t travel all that much, Ed enjoyed being able to experience the iconic city and weigh it against his home. Greg wraps up the favorites by bringing up our show on ‘The Limits of Mai Pen Rai,’ (S7, Ep. 40). Both guys agree this might be their ‘angriest’ episode, but defend the right to put their foot down when it comes to inaction to solve problems that result in horrible tragedies, especially when they’re in the service of improving safety for everyone. Last, Greg and Ed discuss their plan to use the last week of every month to air an old show, rather than putting out a new show every week. The truth is the guys need a breather to help them brainstorm new material, but also think listeners would benefit from listening to many of the old gems from previous years. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Setting Down Roots in Bangkok: Should You Rent or Buy? [S7.E50]
12/18/2024
Setting Down Roots in Bangkok: Should You Rent or Buy? [S7.E50]
Greg and Ed tackle the age-old question for expats living in Thailand: Should I buy or rent a condo or house? The boys begin by making clear there is not one simple answer to this question, and it depends a LOT on a person’s particular circumstances, such as budget, length of stay, and investment expectations. Nevertheless, there are general questions that everyone should consider when making this decision. Hat tip to a video that posted for providing the brainstorming. The guys go through seven separate topics, ranging from possible double pricing for Thais and foreigners, to the consideration that must be given to condo maintenance fees and the difficulty of finding repairmen if you are an owner. Further, Bangkok is famous for new construction, and each new building may have amenities that make your 5-year-old building feel (and look) ancient by comparison. On top of all this, there are cultural considerations, such as Thais’ notorious fear of ghosts and bad luck in general, hence their preference for buying new rather than lived-in residences. While there’s no single answer for all expats, everyone planning a long stay in the Kingdom should certainly consider these factors before making such an important decision. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Filmmaker James Newman on his Documentary Bangkok: City of Angels [S7.E49]
12/10/2024
Filmmaker James Newman on his Documentary Bangkok: City of Angels [S7.E49]
Greg interviews writer and filmmaker James Newman, a long-time expat in Thailand who recently made a documentary film about our beloved city of Bangkok. James starts out explaining his background in London as an insurance executive, his subsequent departure to Thailand, and his career as a writer during the e-book boom of the naughts. Around 2017 he transitioned to filmmaking and made a successful short film called ‘Crazy Medicine,’ directed by friend of the podcast Richie Moore. But today’s show centers on James’ recent film, “Bangkok: City of Angels,” an attempt to capture the chaotic appeal of Bangkok in documentary form. James discusses his decision to cover a broad arc of Thai history, from a cholera outbreak 200 years ago to the more recent COVID pandemic, explaining that he wanted to show the ways in which history can appear to repeat itself and the ways that Thais overcome adversity. The two discuss the dozens of significant events in Thai history that have shaped Bangkok, from the founding of the city through to World War II and the Vietnam War. More recently, the film considers the 1997 financial crisis, the various political upheavals, up through the pandemic, during which the film was shot. While it may be impossible to capture the true essence of Bangkok in one film, “Bangkok: City of Angels” certainly is a serious effort in that direction. Don’t forget that as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on , you can contact us on and of course, head to our (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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