Jobs, Wages and Napoleon Dynamite: The Hard Data on Thailand's Economy [Season 4, Episode 36]
The Bangkok Podcast23 Kesä 2020

Jobs, Wages and Napoleon Dynamite: The Hard Data on Thailand's Economy [Season 4, Episode 36]

It's an extra-long show this week as Greg interviews Jessica Vechbanyongratana, a professor at the faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, about the numbers that make up Thailand's economy.

Beginning with Thailand's notable jump up the list of countries with the biggest inequality gap, Jessica explains the methodologies and data that led to the change - although as she mentions, depending on what data you look at during what year, Thailand may not necessarily be any more unequal than a country like the United States.

Next, they tackle the question of the minimum wage and the average monthly income of residents of Bangkok vs other areas of Thailand, with Greg drawing an interesting analogy between that and Napoleon Dynamite (you see, Bangkok - like Napoleon Dynamite - tends to throw a bomb into many predictive models).

The two also cover how teaching is considered a really good job in Thailand, how Jessica's students are usually overly optimistic about the wages they'll earn upon graduation, and finish with an addendum - recorded just the other night - on the devastating effect the Coronavirus is having on Thailand.

And don't miss our patron Thomas' sweet DJ sets on Twitch!

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(561)

Dreamster's Mario Butler on Thai Music and New Creative Frontiers [S8.E30]

Dreamster's Mario Butler on Thai Music and New Creative Frontiers [S8.E30]

Greg interviews Mario Butler of Dreamster.io, a platform that allows musicians to connect directly with their audience, and fans to own the music they buy, not just rent. Greg begins by asking about M...

3 Helmi 55min

Bangkok History Highlight: The Blue Diamond Affair [S8.E29] (Classic ReCast)

Bangkok History Highlight: The Blue Diamond Affair [S8.E29] (Classic ReCast)

Another classic recast! One of the craziest stories from recent Thai history. Continuing our series on interesting episodes in Thai history, this episode focuses on the infamous Blue Diamond Affair, I...

27 Tammi 29min

From NGOs to Employment Coaching: Helping Thais Find Their Purpose [S8.E28]

From NGOs to Employment Coaching: Helping Thais Find Their Purpose [S8.E28]

Ed interviews Thanita 'Ninar' Wongprasert, an old student of his and former guest on the show in 2018. On the earlier show she came on to talk about gay rights and same sex marriage in Thailand, and t...

21 Tammi 44min

Ed Ponders a New Class: Teaching Contemporary Thailand to Thais [S8.E27]

Ed Ponders a New Class: Teaching Contemporary Thailand to Thais [S8.E27]

Greg and Ed discuss Ed's new class at his Thai university: "Contemporary Thai Society in the Modern World." The guys have a laugh at the thought of a white guy from Ohio teaching young Thais about the...

13 Tammi 43min

Beer & Politics: Catching Up With MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn [S8.E26]

Beer & Politics: Catching Up With MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn [S8.E26]

Greg and Ed interview Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a Thai Member of Parliament known for his advocacy in liberalizing Thailand's craft beer industry. The conversation takes place shortly after the dissolu...

6 Tammi 47min

Frenemies: The Long History Between Thailand & Cambodia [S8.E25]

Frenemies: The Long History Between Thailand & Cambodia [S8.E25]

Greg and Ed discuss the long, strange and complex history between Thailand and Cambodia in an attempt to shed some light on the tragic current conflict. Greg begins with some early history. The majori...

16 Joulu 202551min

What Changes Would Greg Make if He Was in Charge of Bangkok? [S8.E24]

What Changes Would Greg Make if He Was in Charge of Bangkok? [S8.E24]

On this show, Greg and Ed discuss what Greg would do if he was the boss man in charge of Thailand, echoing a similar show with Ed's plans earlier in the year. (Check out Season 7, Episode 54 if you ar...

9 Joulu 202534min

Don't forget the meetup!

Don't forget the meetup!

Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 at The Warehouse on Charoen Krung Road. Chec our FB page for more details.

3 Joulu 202536s

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

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