Murder in Thailand: Kevin Maes Talks About His Book "Kingdom of Trials" [S8.E15]

Before we get into the ins and outs of travel insurance with one of the most well-traveled people out there, we dive right back into the shallow end of debating whether or not Bangkok's traffic has improved. Why would it improve? Well, last month the police commissioner said that traffic police will no longer be setting up checkpoints...so, did it work? Evo weighs in (because Greg drives a car, and they get pulled over way less that motorbikes, which he's really happy about). But the real reason we're here is to talk insurance. Travel insurance, specifically, and why it's so important. Stuart McDonald, the founder of Southeast Asia's best site for independent travel - that's Travelfish.org in case you live in a cave - was kind enough to join us from his home in Bali about his experiences traveling, writing about traveling, and giving advice to people about traveling. For instance, did you know that if you ride a motorbike without a helmet and get in an accident, your insurance might be void? Why? Because you're breaking the law silly, and insurance companies loooove to find little loopholes like that. But these days it's more complicated than simply buying insurance and then heading off on an adventure. Among other things we talk about: The ubiquity of social media and how it changes how bad news is spread and how people view travel The importance of putting the effort into understanding how your insurance policy works in different countries Why travel insurance probably isn't going to cut it if you cross the line from traveler to expat Why most of these elements can be covered by simply using your noggin (to think with, not as a helmet holder) Trust us folks, you'll be hard pressed to find someone as knowledgeable as Stu on how to travel properly. He's also a father, as well, so that makes his opinion doubly valid. Don't make him come back there! Love, Loathe, or Leave Have you ever put your hand into your pocket and pulled out a fistful of dollars baht? Evo has, and he hates it! It vexes him, the nasty coinses, and he's going to tell you why! It's a good thing too, because Greg had no idea what he was talking about until Evo explained his oddly specific coin rage. We Love Our Supporters! You want bonus episodes? You can get bonus episodes! This week we talked about germs, vacation days, and what it's like to take a holiday while working at a Thai company. Here's a hint: you don't have time to go very far. You can get that full episode when you join dozens of other people who help us keep the show free of annoying by supporting us on Patreon. Please? Thank you! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!)

31 Loka 201737min

We're not whispering to make it hard for you to hear. We're doing it to be respectful, because we recorded this episode inside the Museum of Contemporary Art in northern Bangkok. Now, bear in mind that neither of us are huge art people. But museums such as Bangkok MOCA are designed to be accessible by anyone, not just art aficionados. Today, we put that to the test. Spoiler: We loved it! The middle part of this episode features our honest reaction to some of the art as we encounter it. Now, keep in mind that art appreciation isn't the type of experience that lends itself to being expressed in audio. So you won't be surprised as we try to interpret for you the… well, let's say "more eclectic" pieces from Thailand's contemporary artists. Hopefully it comes off as funny as we intended it, and not mean-spirited. Even though the choice bits below may appear the opposite, we really did enjoy our time at Bangkok's MOCA and would highly recommend you visit, too. If you do listen to the full episode, you'll have some context for these choice reactions and more: "It's hard to fault a painting that has a 3D penis." "Body, mind, peaceful: Three words I don't think about when I think of Hitler." "This looks like something out of Ghostbusters…" "That dog has no head. This one is wearing a necklace with three penises on it." "And… the painter likes big balls." "What would happen if a hippopotamus had a baby with a cicada? That's your answer." "This would really cool if we had a skateboard. It would be even cooler if we remembered how to ride it." "I've never seen so many boobs in such a short amount of time." Seriously. Give our interpretation a chance. You'll laugh at our antics (and likely lament our lack of cultural exposure) and hopefully decide to add all six floors of Bangkok's MOCA to your must-see list. It's a fantastic way to spend a good part of your day, whether you've been in Bangkok for years or are just visiting for a few days. It's worth it! Love, Loathe, or Leave This building is sparkling clean, which makes it an anomaly in Bangkok. Unless you're on a public escalator in Bangkok. Those things are sparkly clean, from the handrails to the treads. Listen in to find how how we feel about that (which is pretty obvious) and how and why the janitorial staff keep them immaculate. We Love Our Supporters! Before we recorded this show we recorded an entire episode about our journey to the MOCA exclusive to our patrons! You can get that full episode when you join dozens of other people who help us keep the show free of annoying by supporting us on Patreon. Please? Thank you! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!) (Direct download .mp3) [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

24 Loka 201731min

So Evo was recently the star of a Pakistani commercial shot in Thailand, and by "star" we mean he was on-screen for about four seconds. That got Greg thinking wistfully of his own time as a thespian here in the Land of Smiles, so we thought we'd talk a bit about what it's like being an actor in Thailand. While Evo is the most recent "actor" in this two-way conversation, Greg has by far the longer filmography. And he went to film school! Here are some choice bits from the episode, including some links if you want to watch: Watch Evo's Sprite commercial. He's the Pakistani chef, obviously. Watch a clip featuring Greg in the TV miniseries Blackbeard. He's the panhandler, obviously. Where you can find acting/model/extra gigs in Thailand Working with agents/scouts What you can expect when you go on casting calls in Thailand What life on set is really like on set for every actor who isn't the star How to hobnob with the actual stars (and make all the extras jealous!) How you too can make thousands of baht (not dollars) acting in Thailand Why you probably should leave your comedic antics at home and not get in trouble like one of us But don't worry: We won't let our huge acting success go to our heads. We like doing the podcast, if only because we don't have to sit around waiting to start. Or share 30% with an agent! Also: Did you know that you can listen to our show via email? We're all about making it easy to listen to us every week, and email remains the killer app. Sign up if that make sense to you. Oh, and we'll never send you anything other than the episode each week. We're not big on email marketing. Like… at all. Love, Loathe, or Leave A good chunk of Bangkok's commuters avoid traffic by taking… a boat? Yes, the boats of the Saen Saep canal are quite the experience and a super cheap way to get around the city. Find out how we feel about putting our lives and hygiene at risk by taking this low-tech high-speed transit option. We'll say one thing: it's authentic! We Love Our Supporters! A quick shout out to cool-as-a-cucumber Juhani Makaranta. And wow, do we hope Juhani has a good sense of humor about the… let's just go with "special" way Greg introduces him. [sigh] Want Greg to make up stories about you? Maybe you'd like early access to our episodes. Or what about the full-length exclusive episodes we produce every weekly just for our supporters? Join the others by supporting us on Patreon. You get some cool stuff and we get what we need from you to constantly improve the show. Win win! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!)

17 Loka 201735min

It's generally considered bad form to use curse words in the land of peace, order, and smiles that is Thailand. And when a farang uses native Thai bad language, it's a bit more culturally insensitive. Just like Greg learned this week. But that's not what we're talking about today. Thai taboos are the topic of today's show, a topic we're all too familiar with. Hey, it happens, and we're not doing it on purpose. In this episode, we'll share our personal experiences of things NOT to do during your time in the kingdom. And not just the easy stuff to avoid, like touching strangers on the head (seriously, who does this?), failing to stand quietly when the national anthem plays every day on public transport terminals, not taking off shoes when going inside someone's house or condo, or committing lese majeste. Clearly you should not do those things. On the program today, we'll cover some lesser known taboos, like: Being careless with your money (Not spending-wise, as visitors are encouraged to be non-thrifty, but how the bills are treated) Pounding postage stamps Tapping gogo dancers with your foot Stepping over the dead or those pretending to be dead (true story, bro) Picking your teeth (noses are OK) Gesture to a human like you'd gesture to an animal Smuggling Buddha out of the country (please ignore all the vendors trying to sell you Buddha memorabilia, we guess?) Being in public with your naughty bits exposed to the world Raising your voice when you get angry (and you will get angry) The reverse is also true, because some of what we Westerners think of as taboo are perfectly fine here. Things like Using rather direct terms to describe body size, level of hirsute-ness, and skin tone Asking direct questions about income level, age, or other private (from our perspective) affairs … and more Love, Loathe, or Leave It's not a taboo that prohibits you from buying booze or beer from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm or from midnight to 11:00 am. It's the law that does that, and it's enforced at every 7-11 or grocery store. So if you're in the mood for a beer in the afternoon or just want to prep for a party later that night, you might want to plan ahead. Find out how we feel about this handy law when you listen. (Though you will not be surprised.) We Love Our Supporters! Among our fantastic group of supporters is Mr. Mark Wisdom. You literally will not believe what we found out about this strength trainer from Texas who studied Thai massage. It's completely unbelievable, and if you'd like Greg to make up stories about you, plus get early access to our episodes and a whole series of exclusive content made just for our supporters, just support us on Patreon. You'll get all of that and more! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!)[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"] (Direct download .mp3) [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

10 Loka 201741min

Before we get started, we've a quick warning for visitors headed to Bangkok in October 2017. We don't normally recommend listening to the tuk tuk drivers hanging out around the Grand Palace when they tell you that the attraction you want to visit is closed. But this month, they are correct. It's the culmination of the year of mourning for Thailand, and lots of things are closed. But don't turn to us for the latest info. You want Richard Barrow for that, as he has all the details of what's closed and what's open for your Bangkok visit this month. Today we are on location in an area of Bangkok known as Samyan. This area was first settled by Thai-Chinese people, which isn't all that surprising, seeing that Bangkok's Chinatown is just a kilometer or two up the road. In more recent times, Samyan had become synonymous with street food, supplying locals and attracting visitors from all over Bangkok. Then - and stop us if you've heard this one before - the vendors were all given notice to pack up and move, and the bulldozers followed quickly behind, leaving many wondering what project was under way. The answer? Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, which is more than just Bangkok's newest green space. Listen in to hear us share our experience with this new but still hidden gem in Bangkok: It sits on 28 rai of land, to form an "urban forest" concept It features a specially designed wetland that includes a rain garden, retention pond, and underground water drainage system Evo sharing some botanical knowledge (Fabacea family, not Cannabaceae, stoner) Why the grass at CUCP is way more friendly on your feet than that in Lumpini park But it's more than just a park. CU sees the park as a an important component of their master plan to convert the Samyan area into… Thailand's Silicon Valley? Other development in Samyan, either planned or underway, including Zy Walk, Samyan Mitr Town, and Suan Luang Square. Love, Loathe, or Leave Perhaps inspired by the beauty of the park, today we're taking on an iconic food in Bangkok and all of Thailand: dragon fruit. It's arguably the most beautiful fruit to look at. But the taste? Well, without giving the answer away, we're at another split decision. Listen in and tell us where your taste buds fall on this issue. And which one of us needs to drink better beer. We Love Our Supporters! If you haven't yet heard, we're recording additional full-length episodes every week just for our patrons. We get a little more intimate, a little more fast and loose with the topics, and hopefully provide even more insight into the lives we live every day in the City of Angels. And we'd love to share those episodes -- all of them -- with you. Just support us on Patreon for immediate access. Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!) (Direct download .mp3)

3 Loka 201727min

On-location from the back of a tuk tuk in Bangkok, we're pretending to be tourists for the day and, surprisingly enough, discovering some new things about our adopted home. Ride along with us! (Direct download .mp3) Episode Details Astute listeners will notice the marked increase in Bangkok traffic noise in this episode. That's for a very good reason, as we recorded it from the back of a tuk tuk, driving through the streets of Bangkok. Why are we in a tuk tuk? We're glad you asked. For as much disdain is thrown on the idea of "doing tourist-y things", there's actually merit in that concept. Bangkok is a rapidly changing city, and our friends at Expique are true masters at showcasing some of the greatest areas of Bangkok for their clients -- including a couple of long term expats (that's us)! So we hopped in one of their tuk tuks, broke out the microphones, and recorded the activities we experience on their evening food and tuk tuk adventure. Thanks for having us, Expique! Here's what you're in for in this episode recorded on-location: A restaurant in Bangkok that serves over 30,000 sticks of pork satay every single day The amazing sights, sounds, and smells of the Bangkok flower market Tasty food made fresh -- with flowers! -- from the chefs at The Market Experience A minor altercation between two tuk tuk drivers post-collision (That was fun!) Why people are no longer allowed to swing on Bangkok's Giant Swing (Hint: Dead people) Why food tours are a great way to try new food… that you will love or hate, depending on your Canadian palate. Royal guards, missing plaques, and merit making A cameo appearance by our guide, Net Love, Loathe, or Leave Speaking of touristy things to do that locals do as well, you've likely heard of Chatuchak Market. There probably isn't anything you can't buy there, which makes it an easy place to love. But there are a few loathe-able aspects of JJ market as well. We'll tell you want we think if you take a listen to this episode. We Love Our Supporters! Due to our recording environment, we didn't call any specific patron out on the episode. But that doesn't mean we don't love our patrons! You can join dozens of other people who help us keep the show free of annoying ads and get access to bonus content, cool swag and more by supporting us on Patreon. Please? Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!)

26 Syys 201725min

After a brief moment of vindication on the news that 10% of Bangkok traffic police failed a test about traffic laws, we dive right into the questions from the audience. This is our one year anniversary show since the re-launch, and it's all about you talking to us! Shaun wants to know our opinion on outdoor activities such as "wild swimming" in the seas and rivers and hiking in the forests and parks all around Thailand. Vincent is looking for some recommendation on movies from Thailand, plus has some geeky questions about the process we use to record episodes of the podcast each week. Oh! And he scoops us on a new "jungle" being built on an old swamp that's now an airport. Gotta check that out! Dan is curious about the dining/entertainment options just across the river from us in the Silom/Surasak area, and Dylan has a tricky immigration/citizenship question, which means we need to give a serious answer? Love, Loathe, or Leave Matthew makes the suggestion this week, asking how we feel about getting the attention of wait staff in various restaurants around Thailand. It's not like we're totally ignored...just mostly. But that's really more a cultural thing than an "ignore the big white dude and maybe he'll go away" thing. Still, it takes some getting used to, which means we probably love it or loath it. Listen in to find out which it is! We Love Our Supporters! This week, we're thanking another of our supporters and his time, Terry Blackburn has the honors. Greg found out that Terry was such an inspirational student of karate, he forever changed the sport. Curious why that fact (?) is relevant? You'll have to listen to find out what story we have to tell. You can thank Terry and dozens of other people who help us keep the show free of annoying ads and get access to bonus content, cool swag and more by supporting us on Patreon. You should join them! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!) (Direct download .mp3)

19 Syys 201745min

Today Greg looks back to his Thai wedding to help us discuss just how much you can expect to spend on your own happy day in Thailand. That's after a brief talk about avoiding floods and transit-hacking in Bangkok, obviously. Good news: we're not flooded out, though plenty of the world is right now. Perhaps influenced by the terrible news from Bangladesh, Houston, and much of the Caribbean, the government issued warnings about flooding on the Chao Phraya River, which both of us see every day. But what we didn't see was any part of the river exceeding its boundaries here in Bangkok, so we're calling ourselves safe. For now. But weren't we here to talk about Thai weddings? A few years back, Greg wrote a blog post about how much his Thai wedding cost, a post that remains one of his most popular. That and the fact that Greg still gets questions about getting married in Thailand, we're dedicating this episode to all the nitty gritty details, what went right, what went wrong, and what you can expect if you decide to get married to a Thai in Thailand. It's bananas. No, literally. Bananas are involved. You've got to listen to this episode and compare it to your nuptial experience. Or experiences, if you're a repeater. Love, Loathe, or Leave Since we're talking Thai weddings, we discuss the touchy subject of the dowry. You probably don't have to think to hard to hear how a couple of Western dudes feel about the sometimes symbolic, sometimes all too real concept of paying the family for a bride, but you should listen in anyhow. And then tell us if you agree with our summation or not! We Love Our Supporters! This week, we're thanking another of our supporters and his time, Kurt Martens has the honors. Greg found out that Kurt was not just a track star in his younger days, but a track hacker. What's that all about? You'll have to listen to find out what story we have to tell. You can thank Kurth and dozens of other people who help us keep the show free of annoying ads and get access to bonus content, cool swag and more by supporting us on Patreon. You should join them! Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show. We'd love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo's face on Instagram. If you're really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!)

12 Syys 201737min