Season 5 - Page 3 | The Bangkok Podcast

Aug. 17, 2021

From Dreams to Comedy: Teaching Thai With a Twist [S5.E23]

Greg interviews Kru Nan from the “You Too Can Learn Thai” podcast. Greg begins with the theory of the ‘critical period,’ that the human brain is primed to learn languages early in life but not later. Kru Nan notes that the r…

Aug. 10, 2021

Don’t be That Guy: Expat Stereotypes to Avoid [S5.E22]

Greg and Ed discuss some negative expat stereotypes - roughly the person you (probably) don’t want to become while living in Thailand...at least forever. We all fall prey to stereotypes sometimes - they have to come from som…

Aug. 3, 2021

The Bombing of Bangkok During World War 2 [S5.E21]

Greg interviews about the bombing of Bangkok during World War II. Beginning with a discussion about how Thai people today perceive Thailand’s involvement in the Second World War, K. Panarat notes that many Thais’ attitudes …

July 27, 2021

Cultural Refresher: Books & Movies to Rouse Your Thailand Mojo [S5.E20]

On a suggestion from listener Emily, Greg and Ed go back to basics with book and movie recommendations for people new to Thailand and Southeast Asia, or old-timers looking to refresh their knowledge after being disconnected …

July 20, 2021

Fostering Hope in Khlong Toey with Bangkok Community Help [S5.E19]

Things are not so great right now, and they’re even more desperate for people who live on the edge, which is why we’re pleased to chat with Friso Poldervaart, Greg Lange, and Kerv Chittaropas about their organization . The …

July 13, 2021

Ed Reports Back: Visiting the Phuket Sandbox [S5.E18]

Ed relates his 4-day adventure in the much-reported-on Phuket Sandbox. But spoiler alert: It wasn’t a great trip, mostly due to bad luck: it was gray and rainy almost the entire time, thus denying him quality beach time. Oh …

July 6, 2021

Some Good (and Bad) Ways That Being an Expat Has Changed Us [S5.E17]

Greg and Ed bare their souls and discuss how living in Thailand has changed them for the better - and for the worse. Greg begins by noting that since being in Thailand he has a much greater appreciation for the life struggle…

June 29, 2021

Entrepreneur Derek van Pelt on Business and Success in Thailand [S5.E16]

It’s a dream of many to move to Thailand and start their own business - be it a spiffy e-commerce site, a beer bar on a beach, or some type of consultancy. But navigating the tricky cultural and bureaucratic hurdles isn’t so…

June 22, 2021

Between Two Worlds: Raising a Western Kid in an Eastern Culture [S5.E15]

Diving into one of their more complex topics, Greg and Ed explore some of the questions that arise when raising a child with an appreciation for skepticism and science in the middle of a culture known for its superstitious b…

June 15, 2021

Tourism, Covid & Secret Recipes with Chin From Chili Paste Food Tours [S5.E14]

Greg interviews Chin Chongtong, the founder of , a food-based tourism company in Bangkok. Khun Chin first relates her difficult early days as an untrained tour guide, giving informal tours around Bangkok, having to negotiate…

June 8, 2021

Dealing With Annoying Expat Requests [S5.E13]

On this show the guys keep it real by discussing things they do not like about being an expat. Plus, patrons and listeners write in with their own pet peeves about being a stranger in the strange land of Thailand. Ed begins…

June 1, 2021

History & Diplomacy with Canadian Ambassador Sarah Taylor [S5.E12]

Greg and Ed interview Dr. Sarah Taylor, the Canadian Ambassador to Thailand to discuss her role in Thailand, Thailand’s role in Asia, and what Canada and Thailand have in common...and don’t have in common. Ambassador Taylor…

May 25, 2021

Bangkok's Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth [S5.E11]

The guys return to their ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ series to discuss the sin of ‘Sloth.’ Greg notes in an introduction that sloth can be a little hard to define in that all the other sins involve actively doing something, whereas …

May 18, 2021

Co-Producer Oliver Ackermann on Making The Serpent in Bangkok [S5.E10]

Greg and Ed interview Oliver Ackermann, one of the co-producers of the Thailand-based Netflix series “The Serpent,” about 1970s era serial killer Charles Sobhraj. Oliver is a partner in Living Films, a prominent production c…

May 11, 2021

Joe Cummings Talks Thai Ganja, Protests and CIA Recruitment [S5.E9]

This is the second episode of Greg and Ed’s interview with Joe Cummings, expat extraordinaire. This episode begins with a bang as the guys discuss the future of cannabis in Thailand and then goes right into the kind of story…

May 4, 2021

Joe Cummings Talks Movies, Writing and Tourism Recovery [S5.E8]

Greg and Ed do a tag team interview of legendary Thailand expat Joe Cummings, a renaissance man and expert on Thai culture if there ever was one. Joining us during a break on his latest film role, Joe and Greg discuss how th…

May 4, 2021

Bonus Episode: Vaccine Travel and Quarantine!

Hey there! This type of content usually goes out to our patrons only, but we figured it was important and relevant to everyone, so we're putting it out to y'all! Our buddy Kevin and his wife Tip have just landed in Bangkok f…

April 27, 2021

A Few Unwritten Thai Cultural Rules You Gotta Learn [S5.E7]

Utilizing a topic suggested by listener Wes, Greg and Ed discuss the unwritten ‘rules’ of Thai culture - the ones that everyone knows but aren’t written down anywhere, despite Ed wishing they were because he really has no id…

April 20, 2021

Being Funny in Bangkok: Three Local Comedians Weigh In [S5.E6]

Greg interviews three local comedians, Justin St-Denis, Chris Raufheisen, and Tana Sukke, about life as a stand-up in Bangkok. After a few quick bios Greg dives right in with his brief experience as a standup in Canada and t…

April 13, 2021

Is There an Expat Hierarchy - and Does it Even Matter? [S5.E5]

We think almost every long-term expat has been asked how long they’ve been here before, only to see the challenge, throw down their card, and ask the inevitable: “How about you?” It’s an unspoken contest. But does it even ma…

April 6, 2021

The Ups and Downs of Retiring in Thailand [S5.E4]

Greg interviews Colonel Johnny Thoyts, an old friend who has been retired in Thailand for over 20 years. Johnny has had an interesting time in Thailand - as the former British military attaché, he summarizes his career and h…

March 30, 2021

Oh Crap, What Now? Losing Your Job in Thailand [S5.E3]

The guys discuss the sticky situation of what it means to lose your job in Thailand as an expat, and the relative insecurity that all of us have, no matter how long we’ve lived here. Ed gives a quick overview of the law: if…

March 23, 2021

Fighting the HIV Stigma in Thailand [S5.E2]

Greg interviews Midnight Poonkasetwattana and Inad Rendon, the Executive Director and Program Director at , a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of gay men who are facing discrimination. We begin by raising the …

March 16, 2021

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Welcome to Season 5! [S5.E1]

Welcome to season 5! Greg and Ed discuss the new season, which admittedly is mostly a continuation of the last season - if it ain’t broke, etc. But some nostalgia is warranted, and the guys reminisce about the last two seaso…