Community, Philanthropy, and Condoms with Mechai Varivaidya - Part One [Season 3, Episode 36]
The Bangkok Podcast27 Marras 2018

Community, Philanthropy, and Condoms with Mechai Varivaidya - Part One [Season 3, Episode 36]

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 time. His tireless promotion of condoms, family planning, and community health have made him a household name in every corner of the Kingdom; indeed, if you ask for a "Mechai" in 7-11, you will be given a box of condoms - a distinction he's thoroughly proud of.

Khuh Mechai also founded the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), one of Thailand's largest NGOs, twice served as a senator, as Minister of Tourism, and a number of other high profile private and governmental roles too numerous to list here. In 2007 the PDA was given the Gates Award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in recognition of its pioneering work in family planning and AIDS prevention.

In part one of our interview with Khun Mechai - delightfully feisty and sharp as a tack - we chat about his condom nickname, how Thai culture's views on sex and family have changed over the years, the best way to handle the ubiquity of porn, and how he got help from the Buddhist clergy to support his condom campaign.

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.

Jaksot(563)

Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

Greg begins by introducing the perplexing nature of the Bangkok condo market, noting how prices continually seem to defy gravity despite a massive oversupply. He points out that the market acts as a s...

21 Huhti 39min

From the Road: Three PodFriends Reminisce About Bangkok [S8.E40]

From the Road: Three PodFriends Reminisce About Bangkok [S8.E40]

In a special episode recorded during Greg's travels in Canada, he interviews three good friends of the podcast about their particular speciality, and what their thoughts are on Bangkok despite being s...

15 Huhti 47min

Phra Pandit Discusses What Buddhism Says About Sex [S8.E39]

Phra Pandit Discusses What Buddhism Says About Sex [S8.E39]

Greg meets with mega, super, return guest Phra Pandit to discuss Buddhist teachings regarding sex, a conversation prompted by recent scandals involving women extorting monks. Phra Pandit explains that...

8 Huhti 39min

That Thing All Thais Do? Yeah, No They Don't

That Thing All Thais Do? Yeah, No They Don't

Greg and Ed explore common Thai stereotypes and symbols that are heavily associated with Thailand internationally, yet play a surprisingly small role in the daily lives of average Thai citizens. They ...

31 Maalis 33min

Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S8.E37] (Classic ReCast)

Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S8.E37] (Classic ReCast)

Greg and Ed interview expat legend Chris Baker, co-author (along with his wife Pasuk Phongpaichit) of A History of Thailand, in addition to several other well-known books on Thailand. Greg and Ed gush...

24 Maalis 55min

New Frontiers: A (Literal) Conversation With Ed's AI Assistant About Podcasting [S8.E36]

New Frontiers: A (Literal) Conversation With Ed's AI Assistant About Podcasting [S8.E36]

In a special main show, Greg and Ed interview Hal, Ed's OpenClaw bot about his knowledge of the Bangkok Podcast. The guys begin the show discussing their mutual obsession with AI but also explain how ...

17 Maalis 37min

Photographer Tim Russell on the Fading Glory of Hualamphong Station [S8.E34] (Classic ReCast)

Photographer Tim Russell on the Fading Glory of Hualamphong Station [S8.E34] (Classic ReCast)

In a ReCast episode from season 7, Greg interviews well known Bangkok-based photographer Tim Russell about his book 'Bangkok Station,' which focuses (literally) on the iconic and now mostly defunct Hu...

4 Maalis 44min

Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Institute's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E33] (Classic ReCast)

Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Institute's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E33] (Classic ReCast)

Greg interviews old friend of the podcast Rikker Dockum, Thai language expert extraordinaire about the Thai Royal Society, an organization dedicated to overseeing, promoting and regulating the Thai la...

24 Helmi 50min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

sita
olipa-kerran-otsikko
kaksi-aitia
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
i-dont-like-mondays
hupiklubi
ihme-ja-kumma
uutiscast
poks
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
antin-palautepalvelu
kolme-kaannekohtaa
mamma-mia
rss-murhan-anatomia
aikalisa
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
naakkavalta
loukussa