The Bangkok Podcast

Greg and Ed interview Chatwan Mongkol about his relatively new website called ‘Soiciety.’ Chatwan begins by explaining that he was born and raised in Thailand but then went to the U.S. for a year of high school and stayed on for university. He majored in journalism and (shock!) subsequently worked for several news outlets in the Northeast. During his time there he saw a type of news that Thailand lacks: truly LOCAL news that focuses on important practical matters that primarily affect people living in a particular city or region. Hence, ‘Soiciety’ was born! The website is in English, but is primarily based on Thai sources of information. Chatwan has chosen to focus on matters directly relevant to people living in Bangkok - not international news, not national Thai news, not abstract political stuff. Does it affect the daily life of people living in Bangkok? If no, it’s out, if yes, it’s in. Further, currently his audience is made up of foreign English speakers, but he’s hoping to expand into international Thais, and in the future could even provide Thai language content if the market is there. Greg and Ed moderately bash the current quality of English language news sites in Thailand, and heartily support the idea of focusing on stuff of immediate practical value. Is a skytrain station being planned for my neighborhood? I want to know that. Are alcohol sales hours being changed in the city? I’d like the answer. Is the city doing anything about the air pollution? Please tell me. You get the idea, and if you live in Bangkok, you could probably use some ‘Soiciety’ in your life too. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

Diving into the differences between East & West, Greg and Ed discuss two famous cemeteries in Bangkok. Ed takes the Teochiew Chinese Cemetery off of Sathorn Road, and Greg talks about the Protestant Cemetery in the Baan Mai neighborhood not too far from Asiatique on Charoen Krung Road. Ed begins by explaining that Thai Buddhists in general practice cremation, and since most Thais are Buddhists, ‘cemeteries’ in general are not really a Thai thing. However, multiple minorities throughout Thai history do bury their dead, so cemeteries exist for Christians, Muslims, and some Chinese communities. Ed starts off by discussing his visit to the famous Chinese cemetery roughly in between the Saphan Taksin and St. Louis BTS stations just off of Sathron Road. The cemetery traditionally catered to the Teochiew Chinese minority of which many immigrants to Thailand have been a member of and is more than 100 years old. Further, the cemetery has been made into a legitimate public park, creating an eclectic experience. It features many of the benefits of a park, such as exercise options and open public spaces, but also multiple religious monuments and a significant set of very old tombs, in the midst of a rather dense jungle. It somehow manages to be welcoming and foreboding at the same time. See the pictures below for examples. Taking a cue from a blog post he wrote several years ago about his visit, he notes that the Protestant Cemetery is more of a traditional Western Christian cemetery and does not function as a park. Its main appeal is its historic value, housing the remains of countless early expats to Siam in the 19th Century. As proud expats themselves (who even have a podcast on the subject!), the guys muse about what it must have been like to be one of the truly earliest Westerners in pre-modern Siam. Both cemeteries offer fascinating glimpses into unique immigrant communities that have played a role in Thai history. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

Greg and Ed discuss a much neglected topic in Bangkok expat life: how to survive as someone who doesn’t drink alcohol. Everyone knows that Bangkok has an epic nightlife, but much of that experience revolves around alcohol consumption. The guys discuss the option of going to the usual places and merely opting out of drink, but they also admit that for some people that is socially awkward and can put a damper on the evening. So what about events that themselves are not based around alcohol? Well, both guys offer multiple suggestions. First, sports activities that are social by nature but NOT directly tied to booze. Popular options today are padel and pickle ball. Second, the broader wellness community that includes yoga, meditation, and cold plunges offer great opportunities to meet people and not drink. Third, the guys recommend other hobbies that while they may not ban alcohol, they are not centered around it. Chess, board games, and martial arts all come to mind. Another option is to focus on the community of expats that are into Thai history and culture, such as those involved in the Siam Society and the National Museum. While social gatherings may include cocktail options, opting out is much easier among that crew. Greg and Ed fully support the avoidance of alcohol - it’s obviously not healthy and peer pressure itself is toxic. The good news is that Bangkok is big and diverse enough that there are plenty of options out there for those willing to check out new things. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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.

Greg and Ed discuss the pros and cons of Lumphini and Benjakitti parks in central Bangkok, and best of all - you get to vote for your favorite by clicking here! The boys begin almost with a disclaimer: both parks are genuinely awesome, and there’s no way to definitely declare one park obviously superior to another. Nevertheless, each has its strengths and weaknesses. Lumphini is the classic ‘Central Park’ of Thailand and has had more than 100 years to mature and develop a large group of dedicated visitors. It is landscaped and manicured in a more traditional way, and in some respects might mirror a kind of ‘international standard’ for parks. It is excellent for walkers and joggers, but not so much for bikers who are limited by restrictive hours. There are facilities for other types of exercise, but those facilities are probably insufficient for the massive number of the park’s visitors. Benjakitti on the other hand is newer and larger and has much better options for a variety of sports, including pickle ball, basketball, badminton and table tennis. It’s also much friendlier to cyclists, who have dedicated lanes through much of the park. But Benjakitti is much less manicured throughout much of its spaces, representing the ‘forest’ (or sometimes ‘jungle’) in its name, as it’s intended to represent a genuine biological ecosystem. Essentially, it’s less ‘tamed.’ Both parks provide excellent opportunities for general walking and jogging and of course photography. Both parks MUST be on the list of repeat tourists and expats. Vote for YOUR favorite park here! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

While Greg is travelling in Canada, Ed interviews old friend of the podcast Jonathan about his recent trip to Europe. Jon and his Thai wife Poom spent a couple weeks on vacation, first in Paris and then in Poland. Jon begins talking about the multicultural nature of Paris, something he’s familiar with as a native New Yorker. He and his wife revelled in Paris’s famous street culture: streets are very walkable, cafes abound, and sights are aplenty. In fact, Jon’s only worry was being ID’d as an American, leading to a funny story about his and his wife attempting to look European. Listen in for the details. Ed asks about the safety of Paris, something it’s not known for, and Jon admitted to being apprehensive but admits that at least on this trip, they never felt uncomfortable. On to Poland! Ed asks if there was an immediate difference between France and Poland, and Jon noted that both are very European and that he did not feel straight away as if he was in a different world. However, one difference was that Poland appeared to be less multicultural, causing he and his wife to be a little more self-conscious. But the Poles were friendly, and surprisingly, he and his wife found an excellent Thai restaurant in Krakow. Who would have guessed? Jon reveals his true colors as a Bangkoker when he admits that after two weeks of the Old World, he was more than ready to return to the Big Mango. Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

We return to our Thai history series with a fascinating look at the role that several Thai cannons played in some important historical events. First, with the help of a cool blog on Thai history from our friend Ken Lohatepanont, Greg tells the story of some silver cannons gifted by King Narai of Siam to Louis XIV of France. It turns out that during the world-changing storming of the Bastille in 1789, those very same cannons were used by the revolutionaries to bring down the notorious prison. Who would have thought that Thai military equipment would play such a key role in world history? Next, Greg tells the story of two large cannons, known as Seri Negara and Seri Pattani, used by the southern Sultanate of Pattani. When Pattani eventually challenged Siam and lost, the Thai King seized the cannons as spoils of war. Alas, one ended up at the bottom of the sea, but the other is on display in front of the Thai Ministry of Defense to this day. Last, Greg relates the use of cannons by the famous Thai developer Nai Lert to mark the boundaries of his property that borders Sukhumvit and Wireless Road. The concrete remains can still be seen today outside of Central Embassy shopping mall. 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.

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. 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.

Greg and Ed discuss something that is more common than many people think: being wrong about expecting some Thai government project or initiative to fail. It’s pretty easy, as expats often fall into the rut of cynicism about the Thai government sticking to a plan and actually getting stuff done, but the truth is, Thailand sometimes gets stuff right! Greg begins by bringing up Benjakitti Forest Park. It replaced the Thai Tobacco Monopoly, which occupied prime real estate between Sukhumvit and Rama IV for many years. When Greg heard it was going to be made into a giant public park, he was like, “Yeah right, it’s gonna get taken over by mall and condo developers,” but lo and behold, the majestic Forest Park is now there for Bangkokers to see and enjoy, and has been written about in publications around the world. Ed follows with something different: when he heard about the epic scale of the COVID vaccine rollout in Thailand, he thought it would be widely inefficient with day-long queues. In fact, it was shockingly professional, and he was in and out of there in 30 minutes! Greg continues with a story about the eventual success of the Thai Elite Card, and Ed follows with a discussion of electronic banking in Thailand and the unexpected return of the Shinawatra clan to Thai politics. Lesson learned: Don’t fall into the cynicism trap! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

Greg and Ed discuss a few of the many ‘cringe’ moments they have experienced over the years in failing to fit into Thai culture or ‘do the right thing’ according to Thai society. Ed begins with the ‘classics,’ mistakes that probably most expats make, such as wai-ing a person younger than you are, accidentally pointing the bottom of your feet towards a statue of the Buddha, and improperly touching a Thai person’s head. Greg follows with a more specific (and hilarious) story of buying a large cereal bowl only to have his Thai girlfriend reveal it to be a bowl intended to hold toilet water. Yuk! Ed then mentions a case of Thai language stubbornness where he insisted he like to eat ‘fireflies’ (‘hing-hoy’ in Thai) because of its similarity to the Thai word for clams (‘hoy’ but a different tone). Rule #1: Never argue with a Thai person about Thai language! Next, Greg recounts an embarrassing moment from a play he participated in during his brief career as a school teacher, where he kissed a fellow teacher (a Thai woman) on the cheek. Rule #2: Don’t surprise a Thai woman who is not your wife or girlfriend with a kiss in public! Ed’s last story is more of a confession: for many years, he had a very difficult time telling his students apart and remembering their names, leading to some epic faux-pas. Greg concludes with a story about a confusing interaction with a homeless guy who Greg blew off even though he was trying to direct Greg to stand up because the Royal Motorcade was passing. Ouch! Don’t forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 Evolution48. 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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 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.

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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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.

After his latest video dropped and generated a lot of buzz, 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, he created an interactive web page 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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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 Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

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.