The Bangkok Podcast

This is Part 2 of our interview with Stuart MacDonald, Asian tourism expert and founder of TravelFish.org, arguably the best single resource for traveling in Southeast Asia. In this half of the interview, Greg, Ed and Stu revisit the tricky topic of ‘overtourism,’ an issue which attempts to find a balance between economic revenue from tourism, which in theory is good for local economies, and damage to the environment, which of course can in the long run make things worse for local people. Stu gives his take on how to find the right balance. The old friends then address the perennial (and perplexing) obsession with ‘high-quality tourists’ by the Thai government. Stu gives new insights on the problem of ‘leakage’ (which is almost as gross as it sounds) - revenue from tourism that ‘leaks’ out of the local economy and into foreign investors and companies. It turns out that higher end tourism results in more of this drain, with a lower percentage of revenue actually making into the hands of local people. Backpackers for the win! Last, the guys discuss the (green) elephant in the room: the decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand and the likely effect it will have on Thai tourism. Stu discusses the likely possibility that more tourists will flock to the Kingdom to experience the new freedom to indulge, but also points out the oversaturation of the market that can turn people off, whether it’s tourists or locals themselves. Tune in to hear a true expert’s insights, rather than two random guys yammering! :) Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed interview their old friend Stuart of Travelfish, master of all things travel and tourism in Southeast Asia. Greg begins by reading a quote from an article on the weird duality of tourism: by sacralizing a location, tourism results in its ‘desecration by footprints.’ Stuart gives his take and undoubtedly agrees that this is generally true, hence his take on ‘environmental tourism,’ or tourism that is very conscious of its effect on the locations it promotes. He explains that the cons of tourism for locals (such as crime, drugs, environmental damage, etc.) can often outweigh the pros of increased income. The guys then discuss the overall effect of the COVID pandemic that more or less shut down tourism around the world. Stuart notes that he had hoped that the shutdown, which resulted in the rebirth and reconstruction of some areas hit hard by high volume tourism, would lead to an increased awareness of the damage and perhaps a new policy upon re-opening. Unfortunately, most countries, including Thailand, have reverted to a ‘growth at all costs’ approach in an effort to get back to pre-pandemic visitor numbers. Stuart laments this outcome in great (and grave) detail. The old friends continue with other tourism related issues, such as the growth of ‘secondary tourism,’ or alternative destinations off the beaten path. Stuart notes that this was actually MORE common in the early days of tourism in Thailand, when backpackers would essentially wander the whole country. Alas, over the years, a small number of destinations became so popular that alternative destinations fell by the wayside. Stuart sees glimmers of hope that if the Thai government won’t limit overall tourism numbers, at least they will try to spread the tourists to more locations which could of course limit some of the negative effects of overtourism. Tune in next week for Part 2 of our interview with Stuart MacDonald. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a twist on our history episodes, Greg and Ed revisit the devastating tsunami of 2004. Greg begins with a thorough summary of the event, which begins with an absolutely massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra that caused a rift and shift on the ocean, creating immense waves that would affect multiple continents. Reverberations were felt as far away as the state of Oklahoma. The devastating results eventually took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asia. Greg and Ed recount their memories. In Greg’s case, he had just flown out of Thailand to Amsterdam and learned of the tsunami after he touched down. He relates how he was glued to the TV and as the horrific death toll numbers climbed and climbed. For Ed, he was in Bangkok and actually tried to go to work the morning of the event, only to find that his office had been closed due to a countrywide shutdown. He did manage to feel an aftershock while in his office tower though. The guys discuss the total shock felt by the entire country of Thailand, and all the positive vibes that the Thai people gave to all the foreigners affected by the tragic act of nature. Greg then talks with listener Hugh Van Es , who has written a short book about his devastating search for a friend lost in the waves called Hell in Paradise. His first-person account of Phuket after the disaster is a sobering account of just how big an event it was, and how - even 20 years later - it seems that everyone knows someone who was affected. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This is Part 2 of Greg and Ed’s interview with Ron Weaver, otherwise known as ‘AmericanThaiGuy’ on social media. Ron begins Part 2 by directly addressing his experience as a black man in Thailand. He carefully explains his preference for living in Thailand over living in the U.S., explaining that although Thai people typically don’t prefer darker skin, their approach to the preference is indirect rather than confrontational. He argues that Buddhist culture truly tends to focus on whether a person is good or bad and mostly he feels judged by that, rather than the color of his skin. In short, in the States Ron feels that in certain places he might have to fear being physically assaulted, but in Thailand he simply never has to worry about that. Greg and Ed trade stories about the VERY minor examples they have of being treated differently as white guys in Thailand, and the guys discuss the valuable lesson this may impart. Ron then also elaborates on the general Asian preference for lighter skin, and he distinguishes this from true racism by pointing out this may simply be an effect of capitalism. Simply put, companies trying to make money amplify a preference and make it salient in the culture simply for the profit motive. Many Asians who pursue the preference do so innocently merely as the product of their society and the concordant effect of marketing in it. The three expat veterans continue with a discussion of ‘wokeness’ in Thai society and the role that economic inequality plays in the evaluation of race. Listen in for a truly unique take on being an expat in Thailand! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed interview Ron Weaver, aka ‘AmericanThaiGuy,’ on his life as an expat in Thailand as well as his excellent Thai language skills. Ron begins by waxing rhapsodically about his first visits to Thailand, when he fell in love with the weather, the food, the nice people, and shockingly, the women. Although he loved the country, communication was so frustrating that he vowed to learn the language. But unlike 95% of expats who make that vow, he actually did. The guys trade language learning stories and agree that necessity is the key motivational factor: if you feel as if you don’t HAVE TO learn the language, you probably won’t. Ron was able to put himself into the mindset that he HAD TO speak Thai if he was going to survive in Thailand and that allowed him to put in a good five years of work to get fluent. Ron discusses various Thai learning strategies and explains his rise on social media as an explainer of Thai culture and language to foreigners. An excerpt from Ron’s popular Instagram channel demonstrates his unique teaching style, in which he often role plays more than one character in humorous situations. In addition to teaching the quirks of Thai, he also has his own podcast, unique in the whole country, in which foreigners speak to each other exclusively in Thai. Tune in next week when Ron delves deep into his experiences as an African-American in a country infamous for its preference for light skin tones. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed discuss the Thai temperament and what exactly causes Thais to occasionally blow their collective lids. Greg uses the recent example of a Swiss expat who kicked a Thai woman in the back, allegedly because she was inappropriately sitting on the steps of his condo and blocking his path. Somewhat surprisingly, the incident went viral, much to the Swiss man’s detriment. The guys speculate as to what it was about THIS incident that caused it to blow up. Was it the fact that he used his foot to assault the Thai woman? Was it because she was a doctor, a person of high status? Or was it some random quirk of social media that led to the uproar? Ed then runs through the classic no-go zones in Thai society, such as insults to religion or the big M, and the guys try to figure out if anything else is going on in the recent incidents. Is there possibly some pent up frustration against foreigners in Thailand? Could it be that Thais got used to fewer foreigners during COVID? Greg speculates that possibly Thai nationalism is on the rise and reminds listeners of the price paid by former Ambassador Kristie Kenney when she suggested that Thailand should be a real democracy. Ed then dusts off some of his political science knowledge to try to determine what counts as expressions of nationalism versus simple enforcement of social norms. While no deep certainties are uncovered, the guys give some common sense advice: if you are a foreigner in Thailand, respect local customs and don’t be a jerk. Hopefully, you didn’t hear it here first. :) Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Ed interviews his former student Mookie about her experience studying in the U.K. and her later choice to move her family back from the U.K. to Thailand. The two old friends begin reminiscing about Ed’s university program and how Mookie really was an unusual student. Most young Thai women tend to be very shy in class and rarely express their own opinions. But Mookie was different, showing up on the first day of class ready to debate! They quickly move on to Mookie’s decision to get a master’s degree in London, which Ed was happy to hear wasn’t too hard for his former student. Mookie's story gets an unexpected twist when she managed somehow against all odds to find a perfect guy on Tinder of all places, leading to marriage and two beautiful children. At first, she and her husband wanted to raise their kids in England, and Mookie discusses what she liked about the schools there. However, over time, the couple grew disillusioned with the U.K. and ended up choosing to move back to Thailand and raise their kids here. So what’s up with that? Well, in short, Mookie and her husband felt the schools were not such a great deal for the money, when you factor in class size and facilities, compared to Thailand. Plus, health care was ‘free’ but the service provided was poor. Last, England is just not very outdoor friendly, given the poor weather relative to Thailand. Although she lists some cons to Thailand at the end of the show, Mookie makes a convincing argument that Thailand is a great place to raise kids relative to the U.K. Believe it! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Getting a bit nostalgic after listening to Tay-Tay’s latest album, Greg and Ed reminisce about their respective first year’s in Bangkok by recounting their most vivid early memories, something that’s unique for everyone but plays a big role in setting the tone for your time here. Ed explains that he came here a little bit older than many expats, and relatively speaking, had his ‘shit together’ so to speak. No visa runs, no desperation at the end of the month to pay bills. But what he wasn’t ready for was the excitement, ‘newness,’ and general party atmosphere of Bangkok. In Ed’s words, he felt like he was a freshman in college all over again. Greg possibly had a more typical experience, having arrived in his twenties with a couple nickels in his pockets. He recounts his long traverse to work, something out of “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” and his anticipation of his first paycheck. Luckily, he ran into some super friendly NGO workers from the UN to ease his transition to expat life (note, this is a lie). Ed talks about having some ‘typical’ memories himself, this time of late night, drunken tuk-tuk rides (an expat requirement if there ever was one) and the crowded street market that used to be lower Sukumvit. Both guys of course fell in love with the place and hence, the roots of the Bangkok Podcast were sown. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This is Part 2 of Ed’s interview with friend and expat extraordinaire David Cluck. The guys pick up where they left off, discussing the holy grail: living in Thailand but making a Western salary. David explains how he began to get work in Thailand and for a while balanced a life in L.A. with one in Bangkok. He shares numerous anecdotes from his work on the Hua Hin Film Festival, which eventually led him to intersect with the cast and crew of “Only God Forgives” and a meeting with Ryan Gosling. David then explains how he got a unique opportunity to work as the assistant director on a black and white silent film, shot in L.A. but written and directed by French filmmakers. Wholly unexpectedly, the film, “The Artist,” went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, among many other accolades. And believe it or not, the Cluckster has some of the only spoken lines in the film! The boys wrap up by diving deep into the advantages that Thailand brings to foreign film productions, from excellent crews to fantastic scenery as well as tax incentives and rebates. Suffice it to say that you can add film production to your list of all the cool things going on in Thailand today. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Ed interviews David Cluck, a Bangkok-based filmmaker, friend of the podcast and bona-fide “interesting expat”. The guys begin talking about their mutual love of Thailand, but then go back to the beginning to hear about David’s early life as a musician in Southern California and how he transitioned into working at a local TV station. That led to some work on commercials and short films and then slowly and surely into work on bigger budget film projects. David regales Ed with stories of working with Rob Lowe in Ed’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and then to his break on a film with Jeff Bridges, the ‘Big Lebowski’ himself. Now in the big leagues, David took a flyer on a low budget film called ‘Monster,’ and lo and behold the main actress would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The guys then get into David’s introduction to Thailand on a film project called ‘Formosa Betrayed,’ which will lead to David re-orienting his life towards the Land of Smiles. The rest is history as they say. Listen in next week for Part Two, when Ed and David focus on why major film productions often choose to shoot in Thailand. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

We’re getting a bit personal on this episode as Ed talks about his marriage and eventual divorce in Thailand. Although it’s a difficult topic, enough time has elapsed that Ed is ready to discuss whether or not his experience provides any lessons for expats in the Land of Smiles (and sometimes frowns). First, Greg asks Ed about the actual legal procedure of getting a divorce and whether it involved a lot of paperwork. In Ed’s case, the process was easy because it was by agreement; the only hitch was the need for two witnesses, which was solved by paying a random motorbike guy 100 baht to be the second witness (seriously). For more complex legal angles that must be considred, the guys plan to have resident lawyer Dave back on a later show to explain all the details. Second, Ed does his best to try to figure out a possible lesson for other expats. On the one hand, every relationship is unique and can succeed or fail for a lot of reasons having nothing to do with cross-cultural issues. But Ed does come up with one insight: he feels that he had the habit of always taking his wife at her word in an almost legalistic way. Ed references previous shows where the ‘high context’ nature of Thai culture was discussed. Thais tend not to rely so much on what people say, but read a lot into what is unspoken. Ed wonders whether his failure to recognize this led to communication issues. Since his wife spoke English well, it certainly wasn’t language. Greg chimes in with a few insights from his own marriage, and both guys try to fashion some advice for expats looking to tie the knot with a Thai partner. Chok dee from the Bangkok Podcast! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Ahh, Thailand. Beaches, sunsets, late-night parties, serene temples, and…space technology design and future satellite launch site? Greg interviews Dr. Natthawat Hongkarnjanakul of the Thai Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, essentially Thailand’s version of NASA. Dr. Natthawat begins with his background studying aerospace engineering in Thailand and later in France on a scholarship. Next, he talks about GISTDA, and the Thai government’s interest in space research. Greg notes that people do not normally think of Thailand when they think of space, but Dr. Natthawat states that Thailand uses satellites for data gathering for mapmaking, air quality monitoring, and for help during natural catastrophes such as floods or forest fires. The two continue by going into more detail on the work of the Thai space agency. Dr. Natthawat points out that a big part of their work is educating the private sector in Thailand on the value of satellite data. Greg remembers reading about McDonald’s use of satellite images back in the day to plan its expansion, and Dr. Natthawat says that this is exactly right, that many big companies have realized the unique advantages of data from space. Listen in for further discussion of the ‘space economy’ and the unheralded work of Thailand’s space agency. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg and Ed discuss situations - whether they come from luck or strategy - that can seriously improve your quality of life in Bangkok. The guys try to avoid the super obvious things - getting a better job, meeting the person of your dreams - to focus on factors that are more advantageous than one might expect in Thailand. Ed begins by emphasizing the importance of living close to where you work and having a short commute. While some might put this in the obvious category, the boys both agree that in Bangkok, this simple thing can make a real difference to your quality of life, as the daily stress of a long commute adds up quickly. Greg then brings up the unexpected benefits of having a Thai spouse that works at an international hospital or school, which typically provide significant price reductions to family members such as husbands and wives and children. The cost savings can be great. Ed then brings up the problem of flooding, which plagues certain neighborhoods around the city. Knowing this when you choose a new area to live in can totally change your experience during the rainy season. Greg then mentions the strange fact that having a friend who works at an Embassy, especially the American one, has numerous advantages. The guys continue by discussing how much a good maid can improve your life and the extreme usefulness of having an employer that provides a proper work permit from the get-go. Trust us - if you can make any or all of these things happen, your stay in Thailand will get better. :) Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews well known Bangkok-based photographer Tim Russell about his book ‘Bangkok Station,’ which focuses (literally) on the iconic and now mostly defunct Hualamphong Train Station. Tim begins by explaining his early days twenty years ago as a traveller in Vietnam and how he picked up photography as a way to document his travels. Eventually he made his way to Thailand and managed to pass through Hualamphong in its heyday. The guys discuss Huamlamphong’s design by an Italian architect and its opening in 1916, making it a Bangkok institution for more than 100 years. Greg then brings up the possible future of the building, with many people concerned that it could be torn down and replaced with the typical condo or new mall. Tim believes that the current plan is to make the station into some type of rail museum, but still admits that in the long run, due to the value of the real estate, there’s no guarantee it will be around in the long run. The guys continue by focusing on the eclectic neighborhood around the station, the incredible diversity of visitors who have made use of it over the years, and Tim’s decision to focus on photos of people at the station rather than its architecture or the trains themselves. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a spirit of optimism and renewal, Greg and Ed discuss their New Year’s resolutions as expats. What are their goals for 2024 to grow as expats in Thailand? Greg begins by committing to read The Falcon of Siam, a famous novel set in 18th century Thailand, and to watch The Overture, a film about a famous classical musician in the Royal Palace. Ed wants to focus on improving his Thai, and he developed a plan to learn to read a collection of 9,000 Useful Thai Expressions, a popular PDF among serious Thai learners. Greg then mentions his desire to spend more time at the Siam Society, an organization dedicated to spreading knowledge of Thai history, culture, and society, famous for its lecture series. Being a movie guy, Ed has decided to pick ten of the best Thai movies of all time and get to the point where he can watch them with Thai subtitles. Last, Greg has a plan to join a local club of Thai people to help him make more connections with other Thais, with archery or possibly knife-making leading the list. Somewhat similarly, Ed would like to find a new ‘third place’ - somewhere to hang out besides his workplace or his home. Ambitious these goals are - there’s no doubt about that! But that’s how we roll at the Bangkok Podcast. :) Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Hey guys, I know we said we were done for the year, but we have one last little surprise for you. We sat down with two of our very good friends John and Poom to record a special bonus show for our patrons. But since it’s the season of giving and all that malarkey, we thought it might be fun to release the first 14 minutes of the show to our non-patron listeners too. Ain’t that special? Keep in mind our bonus shows are a bit more freewheeling and improv-based, and often have some spicier language than normal, although there’s nothing here that’ll make your hair turn white. So enjoy this special preview and if you want a bit more Bangkok Podcast in your inbox, become a patron and get a bonus show like this every week. Happy holidays everyone and see you back here in the new year.

Just before the boys take off for the holiday, and hordes of new visitors arrive, Greg and Ed give advice on how to survive a long day exploring Bangkok, be you a tourist or just an expat trying to check off some boxes. The guys run through numerous items, some of which might seem obvious but which still can be easy to forget. Others have only been realized from some hard-earned wisdom as long-time expats in the City of Angels. For example, Greg extolls the virtues of noise-cancelling headphones which can make even a stroll in some of Bangkok’s noisiest areas almost pleasant. Ed reminds people to bring a phone charger or external battery, as Bangkok is not quite modern enough to make finding an outlet easy. Greg notes that if you don’t want to twist an ankle, a pair of comfortable shoes is a necessity for any lengthy Bangkok jaunt - especially if you’re over 40, as the guys have sadly found out. And Ed reminds people of the notoriously chilly aircon in Bangkok’s movie theaters and coffee shops, which are much easier to survive with a jacket or scarf big enough to function as a make-do blanket (see the pic below). Listen in for a dozen more items that the guys recommend to make a day out in Bangkok significantly less stressful. Also a special thanks to Errol for gifting us some wine, which helped Greg power through the recording of this episode. Pic below. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

This is Part 2 of Greg’s interview with Ilya Smirnoff of Childline Thailand. Ilya begins with the ‘timeline of a child,’ which is basically a roadmap of the rights and responsibilities of children as they age. It begins at birth, when responsible parents should get both a birth certificate and house registration certificate for the newborn. At age 7, Thai children have the right to attend nursery school, and at age 12, young people become criminally responsible for at least some of their actions, something that every kid should know, of course. Age 15 is the age of consent, where Thais can leave school if they want and also work certain jobs in safe environments. Although Thai men must register for the draft at 18, citizens don’t become fully legally adults until age 20. This allows them to marry without their parents consent and buy cigarettes and alcohol. Greg asks about parents and what role they play in Childline, and Ilya notes that about 10% of the calls they receive are from parents or teachers who need advice for how best to deal with a troubled child. Although the organization’s main role is not to teach parenting, Ilya explains that the main problem in most troubled families is poor communication, and that families can survive through very dire circumstances if they maintain trust, warmth, and effective dialogue. The two continue with more specifics on the different situations Ilya has encountered over his years with this very important organization. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Greg interviews Ilya Smirnoff, the director of Childline Thailand, an NGO dedicated to the rights of children in Thailand. Ilya begins by explaining his early life as a monk, and how he eventually left the monkhood and began doing charity work. The basic genesis of Childline Thailand was to provide a single phone number for children to call to gain access to information about all the government services that are designed to help children in trouble. The organization was able to get the simple phone number ‘1387,’ which is still their number today. Ilya notes that there are actually an array of services of great variety, but that a single access point makes it much easier for children to navigate the system. Greg then asks Ilya to walk him through an example call, where a child who has run away from home calls in. Ilya says the first step is to assess whether the child is in immediate danger; if so, Childline will immediately call the police so that they can intervene and hopefully render assistance. If a child seems to have a skillset that perhaps allows them to live for a while on their own, Childline will do a further assessment to determine the appropriate services for that child. The fact that up to 70% of Thai children have a grandparent as their primary caregiver, and the difficulties that can bring, exacerbates the situation, making their biological parents harder to track and them perhaps more willing to run away. The generation gap between grandparents and children is often vast and a communication breakdown often makes violence more likely. Greg and Ilya continue to discuss the emotional difficulties of the job, its great rewards, and complexities of navigating the various services available in Thailand. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the interview next week. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

In a follow-up to previous episodes on expat ‘Merit Badges,’ Greg and Ed discuss ‘DEmerit Badges,’ mistakes that long term expats make that they should NOT make. In other words, if you’ve lived in Thailand for a while, and you act like a n00b, you deserve a demerit. Greg begins with the classic fashion faux-pas of all foreigners in Thailand for more than a few months: wearing elephant pants. As the official mark of being brand new to Thailand, these flimsy pajama bottoms are verboten for long-timers (and that’s still true, notwithstanding their surge in popularity among hi-so Thais). Ed then brings up raising your voice or getting angry in public with a Thai person in their official capacity. Simply put, anger in public gets you nothing in Thai culture, except possibly some disrespect. The guys continue running through several more no-no’s for expats and repeat tourists, from forgetting your passport to bum gun blunders. If you don’t want to embarrass yourself, listen in for advice on how to look like you belong in Thailand. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we’ll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.