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

On this episode we ask the immortal question: do you have to be a little bit strange to live in Bangkok? We don't mean that (necessarily) in a bad way, you understand. But it sure seems that, on some level, people who tend to thrive on chaos deal really well with the uncertainty, noise, culture shock, and political instability that are endemic to Thailand. If nothing else, you sure need to have an 'elastic outlook' on life. All of that is the exact opposite of life in most western countries, so by definition, you have to be okay with rejecting the "normal" parts of your native culture. And that's something not everyone is comfortable with. Not surprisingly, your hosts of the Bangkok Podcast self-identify with the moniker "weirdo", which probably explains why we're doing alright here. In this episode we talk about why we fit, what other strange people we've met during our time in the kingdom, and then diss on some people who claim to be strange, yet just follow along with the crowd. Let your freak flag fly and enjoy this fun episode of our show. Love, Loathe, or Leave We've all seen them - trimming hedges, fixing cables, doing construction work. The hidden ninjas of Bangkok, the manual laborers who clad themselves from head to toe in clothing despite the ungodly heat and job in direct sunlight. Why do they do it? Don't they get dehydrated? And why do they look at us like WE'RE the strange ones for wearing shorts? We Love Our Supporters! This week, we're thanking another of our supporters. This time, it's Chris "The Coin" Stevens. How did Chris earn that cool nickname? You'll have to listen to find out what story we have to tell. You can thank Cookies 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)

5 Syys 201732min

Today we compare living in Bangkok vs a tropical island paradise in Thailand. Also, we share how you can participate in our upcoming one year anniversary show, and give yet another reminder about the big Bangkok-wide I Love Podcasting In Bangkok event coming up August 30th, 2017. Please forgive the sound of the rolling surf in the background during the interview with this week's guest. That's just one bonus of living on an island in Thailand vs the big city of Bangkok: giving up the sounds of traffic for the sounds of the sea. Like many people, our guest this week - an old friend of Greg's named Tad - first discovered Thailand on a famous full moon party island. After stretching his vacation to two months, he went back to his native home in Los Angeles and started making plans for full-time living in his newfound paradise. A year later, he was back at the same spot, ready to do it again and forever. Stop me if you heard this one, but it wasn't quite the same the second time around. Paradise, as it seems, can be lost. "It's like Groundhog Day, but with Red Bull and SangSom." - Tad Still convinced that island living was what he wanted, he packed up and moved to the barely-occupied Thai island Ko Lanta to try his hand at living pre-tourist wave. But that was a decade ago. Fast-forward to today for our episode topic: Expat living in Thailand away from the hustle-and-bustle of Bangkok, deep in paradise. Is it really all it's cracked up to be? Can you really trust a "professional electrician" who wears flip flops on the job? And how often can you hit the waves when you're running your dream business seven days a week? Tad brings a healthy dose of reality for those ready to follow their dreams. Listen in to get some pro tips. Oh, and to add a bit of color to the interview, here's a photo Greg took from Tad's pad on Lanta. No wonder you could hear waves in the background. Click to embiggen. As mentioned on the episode, we're quickly approaching one year of doing the podcast, and for our 50th show we'll be featuring questions submitted by our listeners, so get in touch via the links below! Also, if you haven't yet RSVP'd to the big I Love Podcasting In Bangkok meetup coming up on August 30th, please do so. Love, Loathe, or Leave While there are many cultural affections in Bangkok that stand out to North Americans, we're covering the comb-over on this episode. You know, that thing that went out of style in the '60s and only adopted by old men who didn't get the news? It's categorically not out of style over here and is as commonplace as women carrying shoulder bags. Listen in to find out where our heads are on the issue. (Did you see what we did there?) We Love Our Supporters! This week, we're thanking another of our supporters. This time, it's Matthew "Cookies" Cramer. How did Matthew -- or just Cookies -- earn that title? You'll have to listen to find out what story we have to tell. You can thank Cookies 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)

29 Elo 201732min

This week we take a break from talking about how much we love Bangkok to discuss the city's ugly, dusty, dirty side. Prior to that we'll tell you about our bike-tastic weekend. Because sometimes you just gotta get out of the city and enjoy the rest of Thailand, right? Evo gets burned on the beach in Hua Hin, and Greg MacGyver's his way through a bike ride in remote Bangkok. Clearly we love living in the Kingdom, but as with most relationships, there are things that drive you a bit crazy. One of those things about Bangkok is that while it's certainly a fascinating city, it is not a very attractive city. At least not at first sight. What's not to love? Well… abandoned buildings still dot the landscape, giving many aspects of Bangkok a bit of a post-apocalyptic feel. And even for occupied buildings, the elements aren't nice to our hi-so condos, and many could use with a fresh (or perhaps first ever) coat of paint. When you do see color on buildings, it's often from re-purposed polyvinyl signs used in some rather ingenious (and likely not permitted) construction project. Of course, we'll talk about the twisted knot of telecommunication lines that is inescapable in Bangkok if you happen to look just slightly up. Which you probably don't do very often for fear of stepping into an open hole in the sidewalk, falling down a bottomless pit. But maybe that's just our perception as farangs who've lived too long in the city? For it certainly stands in contrast with the army of street cleaners who sweep the streets around Bangkok with brooms and dustpans. Give this episode a listen and let us know your thoughts on the less-beautiful side of Bangkok. Maybe we're being to critical? Love, Loathe, or Leave How do we feel about fish sauce, that salty, MSG-laden black liquid that Bangkokians put on just about everything? Not surprisingly, it's a split decision this week. (Spoiler: One of your hosts might have sent a whole bunch of postcards around the world doused in the savory goodness! And the other likes ketchup. Gross.) We Love Our Supporters! You really need to meet Christine Foti, the lovely person this week who deserves our thanks and your awe. Why? A few years back she called her cable company to cancel her service, and they were so scared of losing such a stellar customer, they offered to pay her if she didn't leave. Now she makes a nice chunk of change from companies that simply want to be associated with her. When she's not doing that, Christine and a few other fantastic people 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! Also, thanks to J Robert MM for the lovely review of the Bangkok Podcast on iTunes. You rock, JRMM, and enjoy life in Kanchanburi! 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)

22 Elo 201735min

Today we're talking with an expert on the Brahmin, a Hindu caste that plays a very important role in the highest levels of Thai society. And we have something special planned for our one year episode. Oh, and there's a Bangkok-wide podcast meetup coming up. We'll cover that and more on episode 2.45 of the Bangkok Podcast. Have you RSVP'd to the big, huge, love-fest that will be the I Love Podcasting In Bangkok meetup on August 30th? It's free, low-key, and something we'd like to repeat on a regular basis. So if you're in town and free that evening, come join us and lot of other podcasters, podcast listeners, and those just interested in learning more about podcasting for a few beers and conversation. It'll be fun! And if that's not interesting enough, we're coming up on our one-year anniversary of the podcast relaunch! We're collecting questions, comments, and other items that you, our loyal listeners and fans would like for us to talk about on this special show. There are plenty of links at the bottom of this post if you'd like to send a query. But that's not what we're talking about on this episode. Recently, Greg chatted with Nathan McGovern, Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Religious studies at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He has a BA in Physics and a PhD in Religious Studies, and is a specialist on a unique Hindu Caste called the Brahmins. Not a lot of people have heard of the Brahmins, and even if you have you may not be aware that they play a vital role in the highest levels of Thai society and have been doing so for hundreds of years. Here are a few tidbits you'll pick up from this fascinating conversation How Hindu priests (Brahmins) became employed by Thailand's Royal Court (a Buddhist institution) hundreds of years ago -- and remain today What services the Hindu priests perform in Thailand's Royal Court and how that differs from the Buddhist priests Why having Hindu priests quite close to the center of power in Thailand isn't quite as strange as it might seem Which modern ceremony performed by Brahmins expats in Bangkok have probably have seen Where to visit the almost-hidden Brahmin temple in Bangkok Love, Loathe, or Leave What's up with the trend (?) of using "bro" via messages in Bangkok? And how is it supposed to be pronounced? Brough? Brugh? Brah? We're puzzled, so listen in and see just how much tiny things like this bother us. Or not. We Love Our Supporters! While we love ALL of our listeners, friends, and fans, we especially love the supporters on Patreon who help us keep the show going and free of annoying ads. This week we're shouting out to Amy P. As is the norm, Greg did some research on Amy P. and came up with an interesting story. Have a listen to hear why she's such an amazing person! To help support the show like Amy did and get access to bonus content and cool swag, head to patreon.com/bangkokpodcast. 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!)

15 Elo 201736min

We've said it before and we'll say it again - Bangkok is an interesting city; but it ain't a pretty city. But that's not to say that there aren't places of architectural significance or historical importance, because there are. One of those is the magnificent Scala theater - at least until it gets knocked down for another mall. Oh, and while recording this episode on location at the Scala, we were kicked out because we didn't have permission (you can hear this conversation with the theater's major domo in the Patreon bonus content). Also in this episode, Evo wonders why bowling in Thailand is more glam than redneck, and Greg muses about the dangers of driving huge trucks in Bangkok if you can't see out of the goddamn windows. Where we come from - and perhaps where you, dear reader, also come from - bowling is something you do for a laugh. It's a sport so ridiculous, so fringe, so cheesy, that it's hard to take anyone seriously who takes it seriously. But not in Thailand - no, here people actually dress up to head to the bowling alley with friends. As he prepares to head out with wifey's friends for an evening of ball play, Evo is unsure what to expect. But our main topic is the awesome Scala movie theater, one of the Bangkok's last, best remnants of a more glamorous time, where movies were shown in 70mm and theaters were - as you can still see - built with more love and attention to detail than a modern office building. But how long will it last? Owned by Chulalongkorn University, the land that the Scala sits on is some of the most valuable real estate in the country, and when money talks, no one's speaking very loudly by selling movie seats at 100 baht a pop. So sadly, inevitably, it's only a matter of time until the Scala gets turned into a new mall, but until then, it's open for business. We discuss its history, its significance, and why should make it a point to make a visit post-haste. And - as a bonus - here's the picture if Pinocchio from the Scala that Greg mentioned in this episode's Patreon bonus content - just before they got kicked out of the theater. Love, Loathe, or Leave Greg wonders why in the HELL the drivers of trucks - not pickups or ¼-ton specials, but full-size 2-ton big-rigs - feel the need to cover their windshields with stickers, add lights and various bling to the mirrors, and otherwise bedazzle their trucks all to hell. Safe? Nope. Aerodynamic? Nope. Cool looking? Also nope...at least from our perspective. We Love Our Supporters! This week we're giving a HUGE thank you to Matt B, who is supporting the show at the highest level, meaning that he'll soon get a personalized, very special gift from us. We also tell you why Matt is the type of guy you wish you knew, and hope to have around if a fire ever breaks out. We'll say nice things about you on an episode too, plus give you bonus content and early access to our shows, for a modest level of financial support. And by "modest", we mean a couple of bucks! Join the growing list of listeners who support our podcast on Patreon. 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 to 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. (Direct download .mp3)

8 Elo 201729min

A discussion about the challenges and barriers to getting quality English-language news on Thailand from Thailand. And Evo's learning to write like a 3-year-old. After that, the magic of pork floss. Because Bangkok Podcast. Evo's decided that maybe he does need to learn Thai. So he picked up a new book, Fun Training From Chicken to Owl. Well, that's the English translation. Why has he flip-flopped on his opinion on learning Thai? Because Stu Jay Raj said so. Fine. But that's not what we're talking about today. Thailand isn't quite as dedicated to the concept of a "free press" as most Westerners are used to. While it's not quite state-controlled like North Korea, China, or Russia, there are limitations -- about 44 of them (wink) -- to how far the Thai press will go. But for expats, there's a more fundamental problem: Actually getting any news from Thailand about Thailand in a language other than Thai. More than one expat new to the area has bemoaned the lack of English-based content coming out of the Thai media. And for good reason. On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast, we're covering English-presented news generated from within the kingdom of Thailand. So if you're looking for your TV, radio, or newsprint-based fix for news, this episode of our podcast will help point you in the right direction. Love, Loathe, or Leave This one needs no preamble, as we're talking about the magic of pork floss. Yes, pork floss. Or as Greg calls it, pig-flavored cotton candy. Because if that doesn't sound tasty to you, there is something terribly wrong with you. Like one of us. Listen in to see and see who you side with, as we've a split decision this week. We Love Our Supporters! This week we're giving a HUGE thank you to ex-expat Adam Payet. He's been forced to move back to a big desert island, but keeps up with the goings on in his adopted homeland (that's Bangkok), by listening to The Bangkok Podcast. And because he's a super nice guy, he's helping to keep the show going every week. Thanks, Adam! We'll say nice things about you on an episode, plus give you bonus content and early access to our shows, for a modest level of financial support. And by "modest", we mean a couple of bucks! Join the growing list of listeners who support our podcast on Patreon. 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 to 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.

1 Elo 201733min

This week we're talking with an honest to goodness food scientist who gives us the lowdown on the health benefits - or lack thereof - of Thai food and its sundry ingredients. But first, Evo plays Robin Hood as he recounts a pleasant encounter with a wandering sheriff. What are the odds a visitor to Bangkok would not only run into one of the hosts of his favorite podcast, but run into said favorite podcast co-host just minutes after listening? Pretty high if you happen to visit Jack's Bar. But as cool and unexpected as that was, it's not what we're talking about today. Adam Yee is a food scientist who works at a billion dollar health-and-wellness company in Phoenix Arizona. He's the kind of guy who takes his work home with him, because he's also the host of a podcast called My Food Job Rocks!. We brought Adam on the show to dispel the rumors and myths about the healthiness of Thai Food. Adam has a lot to share about what science says about fad diets and more, including these choice bits: How gluten spreads civilization (no offence to those diagnosed with Celiac Disease) Why you shouldn't (and practically can't) avoid MSG in Thailand A reference to the tastiest of tastes: umami Why you can blame the American military for Thailand's dedication to sweetened condensed milk in everything How to curry favor from a food scientist (did you see what I did there?) The curious case of tamarind and why anyone would find it a tasty food additive Since Adam is curious about Thailand (his roomie is Thai), we talked about some unique aspects of Bangkok that shows why he's a great food scientist. Among other things, we covered: The flavors and styles of snacks are made from seaweed The Mexican food scene of Bangkok (since he's from Arizona, right on the Mexican border) How mayonnaise contributes to the Thainization of sushi Why Thais love Red #40 like French Canadians love Yellow #6 Macro trends on Thai-centric health concerns Love, Loathe, or Leave As we've talked about on prior episodes, Bangkok cops are cracking down on helmetless riders. Mototaxi drivers are accommodating, offering pay passenger a spare helmet. But when you're sporting a mellon the the size of a beachball like both of us, it's more about fine-avoidance than safety. Listen in to find out how we deal with this reality. We Love Our Supporters! In fact, we're considering a special meetup for anyone who lives in or will be traveling to Bangkok next month. Are you interested? Even if you can't make it in August but do travel frequently to Bangkok, let us know. Maybe we'll do it on a regular basis! 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, either on the contact form on our website or through a comment or message on our Facebook page. You can Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or follow Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. And as mentioned, we now have a LINE account! Yep. Just for the Bangkok Podcast. Join us over there, too! See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

25 Heinä 201745min

We're talking with Stu Jay Raj, who uses his fluency in 12 languages to help "fluent" Thai second-language speakers connect on a more personal level than they ever thought they could. But first, the most Thai way to listen to the show and communicate directly with Evo. (Don't tell Greg!) Before we get started, we need to talk about our Patreon page, the only way we raise funds to support the show, and how many people have already signed up to get bonus content and extra content from us for a few bucks. There's also our quasi-official LINE account, where a few of our followers are engaging in one-on-one conversations with Evo all the time. Are you connected with one or both of those? No? Fix that. You'll get the warm fuzzies almost immediately! Prosody. It's not a Thai word, but it's not a word that either of us were familiar with. And, as it turns out, it's key to becoming a better Thai speaker. That's what you'll learn when you listen to Greg's conversation with one of the most talented and well-known polyglots in Asia, Stu Jay Raj. He's fluent in over 12 languages including English, Thai, Lao, Indonesian, Malay, Khmer, Burmese, Spanish, Hindi, Danish, and Vietnamese, with working knowledge of several more. But he's not your average language educator. He has a degree in Cognitive and Applied Linguistics and uses his skills as a corporate facilitator, cross-cultural training specialist, and to assist multinationals, governments and NGOs in high-level conflict resolution. Here's what you'll learn from Stu when you listen to this conversation: Why the street is your best classroom when learning the natural rhythms and patterns of the foreign language you're trying to learn. The truth about "fluency" and why it doesn't really tell you how well someone can communicate Why you never want to be complimented on your skills when speaking another language How much leaned sound patterns from your native tongue are screwing up your mastery of Thai Why it's OK to blame the Romans for the naughty phrases we accidentally say when we try to speak Thai How much easier it is to learn multiple languages at a time (as crazy as that sounds) What the biggest mistakes Thai language learners make… and how to stop! Why Stu claims that Thai is a beautiful, logical, and confusion free language -- once you learn it the right way And finally, why you should buy the book or take the course and start learning Thai the right way. Love, Loathe, or Leave Some things really push our buttons. In this case… it's Thai people in elevators pushing the door close or door open button. Every. Time. Even though they know the door will close in a matter of sub-seconds… they'll still push the button. Every. Time. You can probably guess how we feel about this. But if you listen, you'll learn a fun prank to play. (And it won't get you kicked out of the country! Probably not.) 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, either on the contact form on our website or through a comment or message on our Facebook page. You can Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or follow Greg's tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. And as mentioned, we now have a LINE account! Yep. Just for the Bangkok Podcast. Join us over there, too! See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

18 Heinä 201740min