Season 5

A Virologist Talks Vaccine Research & Thailand's Scientific Street Cred [S5.E71]
July 26, 2022

A Virologist Talks Vaccine Research & Thailand's Scientific Street Cred [S5.E71]

In the last episode of Season 5, Greg interviews Samaporn Teeravechyan, also known as Dr. Joy. Dr. Joy works at the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, essentially the arm of the Thai government that focuses on scientific...
Gotcha! Ten Situations When the Score is Bangkok 1, You 0 [S5.E70]
July 19, 2022

Gotcha! Ten Situations When the Score is Bangkok 1, You 0 [S5.E70]

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...
The Million Baht Kid: Returning to Thailand After Growing Up Abroad [S5.E69]
July 12, 2022

The Million Baht Kid: Returning to Thailand After Growing Up Abroad [S5.E69]

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...
Fun AND Educational? Some Notable Bangkok Firsts [S5.E68]
July 5, 2022

Fun AND Educational? Some Notable Bangkok Firsts [S5.E68]

In a new concept, Greg and Ed discuss various Bangkok ‘Firsts’ in an effort to improve their knowledge of the city’s history and development. Loosely based on a trivia format the guys go back and forth asking each other about key milestones in...
Luxembourg Ambassador Jean-Paul Senninger Talks Diplomacy & Cultural Identity [S5.E67]
June 28, 2022

Luxembourg Ambassador Jean-Paul Senninger Talks Diplomacy & Cultural Identity [S5.E67]

Greg interviews the Luxembourgian Ambassador to Thailand, Jean-Paul Senninger. As a diplomat with a long list of postings around the world, from his home base at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Washington, D.C., Spain, Turkey and finally Bangkok,...
Pot Luck Surprise! The Highs and Lows of Weed in Thailand [S5.E66]
June 21, 2022

Pot Luck Surprise! The Highs and Lows of Weed in Thailand [S5.E66]

Greg and Ed discuss the recent decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand, the recent changes around town it’s caused, and whether or not they think it will last.  First, Ed does a quick interview with our resident Weed Expert, Kitty Chopaka,...
From Toothbrushes to Curses: Storytime With Christopher G. Moore [S5.E65]
June 14, 2022

From Toothbrushes to Curses: Storytime With Christopher G. Moore [S5.E65]

This is Part Two of Greg’s recent interview with uber-expat Christopher G. Moore, author, raconteur, and general man-about-town. In true Renaissance guy fashion, the two men jump from topic to topic, each more interesting than the next. First, Greg...
From Page to Screen: Christopher G. Moore on Hard-Boiled Bangkok [S5.E64]
June 7, 2022

From Page to Screen: Christopher G. Moore on Hard-Boiled Bangkok [S5.E64]

Greg interviews Christopher G. Moore, long-time friend of the podcast and senior Bangkok expat, known for his extensive fiction and non-fiction writing as well as his legendary conversational skills. Chris begins by relating his recent short film...
Understanding Thailand: Some Rules of Thumb That Explain a Lot [S5.E63]
May 31, 2022

Understanding Thailand: Some Rules of Thumb That Explain a Lot [S5.E63]

Greg and Ed pull together all their accumulated wisdom about Thai culture and society into six pithy theories to aid expats and tourists alike. Ed begins with his classic ‘Universal Theory of Thailand,” that everything good in the country comes...
Seeing Thailand Through Film: Director Paul Spurrier [S5.E62]
May 24, 2022

Seeing Thailand Through Film: Director Paul Spurrier [S5.E62]

Ed interviews , a British expat in Thailand who has been in the film industry his entire life. Paul begins at the beginning, how his first movie ever in a movie theater was “The Sound of Music,” and it had such an impact on him that he decided to...
Busting Some Myths About Prostitution in Thailand [S5.E61]
May 17, 2022

Busting Some Myths About Prostitution in Thailand [S5.E61]

Ed leads a discussion and semi-rant about a persistent myth regarding the history of prostitution in Thailand that was recently perpetuated by a . The myth goes like this: prostitution wasn’t much of a thing in Thailand until the Vietnam War era,...
Achievement Unlocked! Even More Expat Merit Badges [S5.E60]
May 10, 2022

Achievement Unlocked! Even More Expat Merit Badges [S5.E60]

Because the first show was so fun to do - and full of great listener-generated ideas! - Greg and Ed revisit the idea of expat ‘merit badges,’ a recognition of classic experiences in Thailand that indicate you are more than just a tourist. I mean,...
Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S5.E59]
May 3, 2022

Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S5.E59]

Greg and Ed interview expat legend Chris Baker, co-author (along with his wife Pasuk Phongpaichit) of , in addition to several other well-known books on Thailand. Greg and Ed gush over the fact they have both read Chris’s most famous work, something...
Greg’s Canada Trip: Thoughts on Reverse Culture Shock [S5.E58]
April 26, 2022

Greg’s Canada Trip: Thoughts on Reverse Culture Shock [S5.E58]

It’s Greg’s turn for some reverse culture shock as he relates his return to Thailand from the Great White North of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Ed first notes the differences between his situation and Greg’s: he still has family in Ohio, while...
The Psychology of Tourist Scams with Tourism Expert Ding Xu [S5.E57]
April 19, 2022

The Psychology of Tourist Scams with Tourism Expert Ding Xu [S5.E57]

Anyone who has been to Thailand knows the old “Ohhh, the temple is closed today, why don’t you come with me to this gem store?” Despite warnings in literally every bit of content about traveling to Thailand, thousands still fall prey to this...
Thai Games: From Playgrounds to Cards to Beetle Fighting [S5.E.56]
April 12, 2022

Thai Games: From Playgrounds to Cards to Beetle Fighting [S5.E.56]

Thanks to a suggestion from a listener Greg and Ed discuss the fascinating topic of games that are common - if not unique - to Thailand. Both guys have some familiarity with some games played in public such as ‘takraw,’ but many of the others are...
Rules & Etiquette: Public Speaking as a Buddhist Monk [S5.E55]
April 5, 2022

Rules & Etiquette: Public Speaking as a Buddhist Monk [S5.E55]

Greg interviews our old friend and recurring guest Phra Pandit, about public speaking as a Buddhist monk. Beginning with some public speaking basics, such as the three things that really matter when you give a speech: what you have to say, who you...
The World Happiness Index: How Does Thailand Measure Up? [S5.E54]
March 29, 2022

The World Happiness Index: How Does Thailand Measure Up? [S5.E54]

In the wake of the - which saw Thailand drop by quite a few spots - Greg and Ed jump into the fascinating topic of the happiness of Thailand compared to other countries. How can you possibly measure something like the ‘happiness’ of a country?...
Photographer Dax Ward on Capturing Bangkok's Abandoned Beauty [S5.E53]
March 22, 2022

Photographer Dax Ward on Capturing Bangkok's Abandoned Beauty [S5.E53]

Greg interviews , an adventurous photographer best known for his beautiful photos of dilapidated buildings and abandoned places. Dax begins by explaining that he was a very late starter to photography, getting a DSLR for the first time in 2015. After...
Saying Too Much: Dealing With Self-Censorship in Thailand [S5.E52]
March 15, 2022

Saying Too Much: Dealing With Self-Censorship in Thailand [S5.E52]

Greg and Ed tackle the uncomfortable topic of self-censorship in Thailand, especially as it pertains to the podcast itself, and the churning, roiling issue of what you can say, when, and how, which seem to be in the news every day.  Although it...
The Middle Path: Is Thailand an In-Between Country? [S5.E51]
March 8, 2022

The Middle Path: Is Thailand an In-Between Country? [S5.E51]

Greg and Ed consider the tricky question of Thailand’s role in the global order. Sparked by a question from one of his students about what Thailand’s response to the war in Ukraine should be, Ed realized that he’s never really thought about the...
History on Video: Bangkok Pat Talks Exploring & Storytelling [S5.E50]
March 1, 2022

History on Video: Bangkok Pat Talks Exploring & Storytelling [S5.E50]

Greg interviews ‘Bangkok Pat,’ whose uncover the hidden layers of this fascinating city. Pat begins with a bit of personal background, growing up in the UK with a Thai mother, and eventually losing touch with that part of his history....
Would a Bangkok by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet? [S5.E49]
Feb. 22, 2022

Would a Bangkok by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet? [S5.E49]

Greg and Ed discuss the significance of the recent decision by the Thai parliament to accept a change to the official English name of Bangkok that was proposed by the Royal Society of Thailand. Initially, it was announced as a major change from...
History and Insight: Exploring Thailand’s Indian Community [S5.E48]
Feb. 15, 2022

History and Insight: Exploring Thailand’s Indian Community [S5.E48]

One of the great things about Thai culture is the many facets that make up the whole. One of them is the Indian community, and Greg is happy to welcome Ram Sachdev, a first generation Thai-Indian and founder of , a leading voice of the Thai-Indian...