The Bangkok Podcast

Bangkok's live performance scene is evolving in some interesting ways, and nowhere is that more clear than at Bombyx , the city's most popular live storytelling event. We chat with organizer John Englander about the history of the event and what makes it special, including how speakers are chosen (and rejected), and what ingredients it takes from Bangkok's eclecting local and expat communities. Jo...

Are you a gadget geek? Greg and Ed sure are, and they discuss some of the key places in Bangkok for people to get their gadget geek jollies. But it ain't all e-wine and circuit board roses in Bangkok; Ed notes that the best places in the world to buy technology are still in the United States, Singapore and Hong Kong. That being said, Thai prices might be better than certain places such as Australi...

Most of us have used one type of expat group or another, so you know that they're often a chaotic mix of helpful advice, strange questions, and angry debates. Helpful? Sometimes. Boring? Never. On this episode, Greg interviews Blake Sibbitt, the creator of a relatively new Facebook group called Bangkok Informed , who talks about what goes on behind the scenes. Blake explains the basic goal behind...

Bangkok is a great city to be an expat in, but it's not without its challenges. On this show, Greg and Ed compare Bangkok to other expat destinations around the world based on a number of issues from an article Greg read about expat life. From missing your support network, to worry about finances, to worries over romance and dating, the issues are very real, but also very different, depending on w...

Greg interviews Dwight Turner, the founder of Courageous Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that centers on food and nutrition education for at-risk youth and families in Bangkok. Dwight recounts the start of the organization and how it sprang from a simple desire to find something more meaningful in his life after the traveling and partying were done. Over time, the organization evolved into a pro...

On this episode, Greg and Ed discuss the concept of a "Go Bag" - that is, a bag that always stays packed in case you need to get outta Dodge. Both hosts know people who have them, but it's a concept that's different for everyone. It might seem alarmist, but here in Bangkok, things can sometimes go bad in a hurry. But how do you define a Go Bag? As Greg explains, it could be something as simple as...

Greg interviews Aim Chareonphan, the CEO of Hubba Thailand, a coworking pioneer in Thailand. From humble beginnings borne out of a frustration with coworking spaces that weren't...quite...there yet, Aim and his partner conceived of a place that was more than just a workspace; somewhere that provided a community that supports entrepreneurs and startups, a resource itself rather than just a place to...

First of all - we're on YouTube! Well, just the audio of each show, but still...makes it easier to listen. Head on over to our channel and subscribe ! On to the show… In a continuation of the series on Thai history, Greg and Ed discuss the fascinating career and tragic death of Mitr Chaibancha, perhaps Thailand's greatest movie star. From his early days growing poverty to a promising career as a l...

Greg and Ed reminisce about Ed's first year as co-host of the Bangkok Podcast. Ed begins with a big 'thank you' to Greg for giving him the opportunity, and Greg gives a brief history of the BP over the years, from Season 1 with Tony Joh, which lasted for about a year and a half, to Season 2 with Evo Terra, which lasted about the same amount of time, and then to the last year with Ed. Ed talks abou...

Bangkok is a giant, chaotic, constantly evolving megalopolis. But guess what? If you live here long enough, you'll get bored. Happens to everybody. You'll lose your groove and get stuck in a rut. So what to do? Greg and Ed give their best advice as long term expats, focusing mainly on relocating to a lesser known, more Thai parts of the city. With a quick introduction interview by Greg's buddy Dom...

Greg interviews writer, commentator, and Muay Thai fighter Matt Lucas about the life of a foreigner in Bangkok practicing the Thai national sport. Matt begins with his background story - living in San Francisco and choosing between working in a bar and being becoming a drunk or practicing Muay Thai and only drinking on weekends. :) Muay Thai won out, and he Matt became serious about the sport, tra...

The guys discuss something of great interest to many of our listeners - where to take the best photos in Bangkok. Ed begins by discussing main tourist attractions such as temples; they have been photographed millions of times, but if you aren't looking for something unique, Bangkok's disparate temples are a great place to practice. For something a little out of the way, Ed also recommends a trip t...

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...

"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...

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 out...

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...

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, s...

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. T...

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 th...

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 ma...

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...

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 shoulder...

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 p...

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 ti...

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 ti...