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

This week we talk to an expert on medical tourism to get the inside scoop on what makes Bangkok a key medical tourism destination. And we share an anecdote that proves even the 2nd largest city in SE Asia is really just a small town on the crossroads of life. What's it like to return to Bangkok 30 years later after growing up here as an expat kid? And what are the odds that one obscure blog post on how to get a Chinese visa in Bangkok would lead to rekindling a friendship while overlooking the Chao Phraya river? Only in Bangkok. But that's not what we're talking about today. Instead, we're trying to answer this question: What, exactly, makes Bangkok such a hotbed for medical tourism? Neither Evo nor Greg are experts, so we pulled in Kevin McGaffey from renuval to get to the heart of the matter. Kevin's technology company helps people find the best medical services and best medical service providers here in Thailand. Here are a few of the questions he answers on this episode of our show: What's different about the Bangkok medical scene that makes our medical skills world class? It has to do with home-grown talent who not only got their training abroad, but come back and do their job so well they often become medical trainers themselves. Some end up here in Thailand and some abroad at the top Western medical schools and facilities. How smart marketing, an abundance of talent, and a commitment to world-class facilities combine with a desirable tourist destination to make the perfect storm for medical tourism What other SE Asian nations are looking to take their own piece of the medical tourism pie, and where Bangkok needs to keeps its edge The types of clientele that come to Bangkok for medical procedures and what their country of origin likely tells you about the medical services they are seeking from Thai providers The difference in the quality of medical care you might expect from government vs private hospitals in Bangkok; and both of those compared to the Western world How some aspects of "Thainess" make for a pleasantly surprising (and rather fantastic) experience for expats who seek out medical services in Bangkok … and two pieces of excellent advice for expats or long-term visitors of Bangkok when it comes to medical insurance and getting discounts on high-cost medical care Love, Loathe, or Leave This week one our Twitter followers (wrongly identified in the audio by Greg [sorry!] but corrected in the show notes, Mattiaz!) suggested we talk about the poor excuse for napkins found in most Bangkok restaurants. Oddly enough, we both completely flip-flopped on the issue after discussing it for a few minutes. We're not fickle. We're just open minded. Listen in to see if the same happens to you. Want more? 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. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

16 Touko 201728min

This week we talk with Bangkok-based Buddhist monk Phra Pandit about abortions, birth control, and how Buddhism defines evil. And you'll likely think Evo an idiot for his dangerous flirtation with Thailand's terrible traffic fatalities statistics, but what's a farang to do? All of that and more on this episode of the Bangkok Podcast. Evo's decided to rent a motorbike for the next month. Let's hope he doesn't get killed as he foregoes safety for convenience. Favorite quote: It's like having a cheat code to Bangkok's traffic. But that's not what we're talking about today. Instead, we're chatting with one of our favorite repeat guests, Phra Pandit. The topic? Abortions, birth control, and how Thai Buddhism defines evil. All of this started when we learned that Planned Parenthood has moved its Asia-Pacific headquarters to Bangkok. Which, given what we know about Buddhism and things like birth control or abortion, there's a conflict. Or maybe we don't really know what we think we know. To find out, we brought back one of our favorite guests, Phra Pandit, to give us the official Buddhist party line on the topic of abortion and birth control. What he has to say will likely surprise you, especially if you're not all that informed of the differences between Buddhism and other religions. Listen to this episode to become a little more enlightened on the concepts of evil, irredeemable sin, hell, and random soul-searing insults anti-abortion protesters like to shout about when they protest Planned Parenthood clinics in the West. Love Loathe or Leave Many of our fellow Bangkokians aren't big on queueing. Nor are a lot of other Asian tourists who show up in the City of Angels. Just how tolerant are the two of us Westerners who have a pretty healthy respect for the "social contract" of just waiting your turn in line? Not very, as you could probably guess. What you probably won't guess was Greg's reaction when it happened to him (again) the night we recorded this episode. Want more? 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

11 Touko 201730min

On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we talk about one of the negative aspects of Bangkok, the immortal, ever-present tourist scam. But before we get there, we'll have a brief discussion of feet. Yeah... feet. Pick up any piece of tourist literature and you'll note warnings of "tourist scams" running rampant in Bangkok. But are they as bad or prevalent as they're made out to be? Back when Greg was a new expat in Thailand, he played the part of an investigative journalist, purposely attracting the attention o a "tuk tuk scammer" just to document the experience. In fact, here's the story. And he's still with us, so how bad can they be, right? Severity aside, these damned tourist scams just won't die. Hopefully you'll be better educated against them after listening to this episode. We go into detail on the tuk-tuk scam (no, the Palace isn't closed today), the ping pong scam (no, you don't want to see it), the official-who-isn't-really-an-official scam (no, not all badges are real), and the birdseed scam. Yes, the birdseed scam. Not kidding. Love Loathe or Leave Free your feet, free your mind. Open sandals are all the rage here in Thailand, but how do we Westerners feel about it? On this Love, Loathe, or Leave we'll dip our toes (ha!) into the conversation. Want more? 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

3 Touko 201728min

From hitmen to red tape and homemade guns to the black market, we bring in a local expert to help us navigate the murky waters of the past and present realities of gun ownership in Thailand. We know you want us to weigh in on the issue of Bangkok's impending street food ban, but not today. We need to let things settle down before we offer up our opinion on the matter. Instead, we're going with the safe topic of the right to keep and bear arms -- guns in Thailand. Though the two of us -- Canadian and American -- grew up with firearms, we aren't familiar at all with the reality of the gun culture of Thailand. Khun A, however, has a considered opinion and is is our guest today. He's a Thai national and avid gun aficionado, owning several weapons and is a member of the IDPA. We wanted to really understand Thai gun culture from a Thai point of view, and he's the expert we needed to chat with. Just how big is the Thai gun culture? Well, Thais may not be a gun crazy as 2nd amendment-loving Americans, but it certainly exists. There are shooting ranges, gun clubs, and firearm stores all over Bangkok and the rest of Thailand. But just like any imported good, gun owners pay a premium for the privilege of ownership, with prices several hundred percent higher than other countries, thanks to import duties and other taxes levied by Thailand's government. Anytime you have skyrocketing prices, you have a black market that seeks to get around them. So yes, you can buy guns illegally -- even illegal assault rifles -- in Thailand. Worse, you can buy "homemade" guns. But think less gunsmithing and more gee-I-hope-this-doesn't-blow-up-in-my-hand type construction. Of course, you can't have a conversation about guns without talking about gun violence. While getting accurate numbers specific to gun violence in Thailand are notoriously had to pin down, Khun A sheds some light on Thailand's hitman history from the '60s and '70s, which shockingly still exists today. Perhaps more surprising is the notated lack of a cohesive and vocal anti-gun community in Thailand. No, not everyone is pro-gun, but the voice of those who want them banned is rather quiet. Perhaps that's because Thailand's red tape processes to actually own a gun are seen as enough of a deterrent? If the four- to six-week waiting period isn't enough, perhaps asking your employer for permission to own a gun does the trick? We're not sure why the Ministry of Interior needs to see your bank records before issuing you a permit either. But such is life in Thailand. But here's the good news: Gun responsibility is preached at every step of the process. As much as headlines may make it seem like it's the wild, wild west over here; the laws definitely don't do much to protect you if you are forced to use one in self defense. Khun A's description of what happens after what seems like a justifiable use of deadly force should make anyone carefully consider their actions. (Spoiler: It's murder.) Love Loathe or Leave We covered the shadow recently, but let's get to the root of the problem: the 15 to 1 ratio between customer and retail employee. What's up with that? And how do we feel about the perceived overstaffing in just about any retail establishment in Bangkok? You'll have to listen to find out if it's something we love, loathe, or hate so much we're ready to leave Bangkok. Want more? 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

25 Huhti 201729min

You may have seen them on the streets of Bangkok, Singapore, or Hanoi. Many play instruments, juggle, or sell postcards. Some simply stand there with a hat and a sign asking for pity. We're talking, of course, about the round-the-world adventurer looking for a handout. Should these begging vagabonds take a hike, or do they deserve some leeway to, er, find their way? We also talk about staying dry (or attempting to) during Songkran, and Greg's foot fetish (in that he'd really like to be able to find shoes to fit his giant feet). The story has been tearing up the newspapers and internets lately - the foreign backpacker. Usually white, European/North American, usually with scraggly bears, matted hair, and doing their best to trade a skill for a bit o' spare change, their presence inspires anger and pity in equal amounts. But they are nothing new. Indeed, as far back as 10 years ago, Greg remembers seeing the first 'famous' farang backpacker as he sat there with a sign begging for help to buy his plane ticket back home, as group after group of university students passed by and dropped some hard-earned cash in his hat. "That's nice," thought Greg. But then Greg saw the same guy in a different part of the city. Then another. Then another. Then it dawned on Greg - this guy was a scammer. But now farang beggars are much more common. Many offer legitimate - if not entertaining - services, such as selling handmade wares, playing an instrument, or doing some tricks. But should they even be doing it? In a region as poor as Southeast Asia - where real poverty is an every day issue for far too many - is it really proper for able-bodied, western-educated foreigners, likely with a healthy support network back home, to be begging for scraps to fund their adventures? Greg and Evo argue the pros and cons, and come up with more cons than pros. Love, Loathe or Leave We think it's safe to say that Bangkok's street food scene would not be as creative (and delicious) as it is without the, er, less-than-stringent food safety ecosystem that many of us westerns are used to. We posit that a food safety inspector from, say, Canada or the US, would have a stroke if he saw how food is prepared here, but should he maybe loosen up a bit? Greg and Evo discuss the safety (and sickness) of street food, and if the lack of regulation is something that helps or hinders eating out. Want More? 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 iTunes. 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

18 Huhti 201727min

On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we talk about traffic in Bangkok - specifically the "Seven Deadly Days" of Songkran - and Thailand's awful road safety statistics. We also talk about what men do when their wives are away... or won't go away. Don't worry... it's not as bad as it sounds. Songkran is upon us, a week-long celebration of Thailand's new year. What will we be doing during Songkran? Staying off the roads, because it's also known as the Seven Deadly Days, when road traffic shoots up to three times the normal rate. Yes, that's likely a contributing factor to Thailand's hold on the #2 spot in global traffic fatalities per 100,000 people. In an effort to get those crazy numbers under control, Thailand's military junta announced sweeping changes to vehicle motor code. Effective immediately, police would be issuing fines anyone in any vehicle not wearing a seatbelt, and anyone riding in the back of a pickup truck. And then the very next day -- not surprisingly -- they softened their enforcement language. Perhaps the fact that many taxies have removed seatbelts from the back seat. And a substantial chunk of the population ride in the back of pickups to get to work, into town, to the doctor… And in urban areas, some governmental-sanctioned transportation methods are nothing more than riding in the back of a modified pickup bed, none of which have seatbelts. As it turns out, mandating behavior changes for a country of 65 million people is… messy. Neither of us are so arrogant as to say we have the answers. But that didn't stop us from offering up some ideas. Got a few yourself? Take a listen to the show (on iTunes, Android, whatever) and tell us if you think our ideas would work or not. And speaking of stupid ideas... Love, Loathe, or Leave? Thailand really, really wants to make us whiter. Something neither of us need. Nor does anyone else, but such is life in Thailand, where it's hard to buy personal hygiene products that aren't loaded with whitening agents. And who are these people with super dark armpits? When did that become a problem? Want more? 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 iTunes. 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

11 Huhti 201724min

On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we talk languages with Frank Smith. He speaks Thai, Khmer, and Lao, and teaches Khmer at UC Berkeley in California. Add to that a quick conversation on the pros and cons of raising a kid in Thailand, and we've got the makings of another great episode of the Bangkok Podcast. We start the show with an easy question: Is Bangkok the kind of place you want to raise a kid? Greg is facing the reality of doing so right now, and Evo has sage advice from someone who decided not to raise a kid in different City of Angels some 20 years ago. Everyone loves a good mystery. And everyone loves a good origin story. But when it comes to the people who live in Cambodia, Thailand's neighbor to the east, the origin story of their language -- Khmer -- is a complete mystery. Oh, and it's even harder to learn than Thai. Go figure. Our guest this week is Frank Smith, a language professor at the University of California Berkeley. Frank's students are often of Cambodian descent, having been raised abroad by displaced parents. Their goal is to reconnect with their heritage, in some cases learning to speak, read, and write in their native language… from a white guy. A white guy who has been speaking, reading and writing Khmer for 30 years, though. With a bit of flair, we think you'll agree. And if you're ready to study Khmer, he can help! He passes along several interesting facts to Bangkokians like ourselves, like busting the myth that the languages native to this part of the world are based on Sanskrit (they aren't), and that the "Khmer" spoken in Thailand bears little resemblance to the actually Khmer spoken in Cambodia. What does Frank think of our opinions on whether or not foreign workers should bother to learn the local language in SE Asia? His answer just may surprise you. Love, Loathe, or Leave? It's a listener suggestion this week from our friend Tim, another Bangkok expat. The topic? April. Yes, the month. Is this nutty month marked by oppressive heat and a state-sanctioned water fight something we love, loathe, or are ready to leave over? Listen to find out. Spoiler: it's a split decision. Want more? 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 iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

3 Huhti 201728min

On this episode, we discuss the little things we love about Bangkok, as well as the little things we miss about where we're from. Plus Evo's recent trip to Siem Reap and the concept of farang "embarassadors". Evo spent a week in Siem Reap and completely loved it. Greg agrees that it's likely the most amazing destination in SE Asia -- possibly the world -- for those interested in archaeology. Color us impressed, ancient Khmer people! The main topic of the show: It's the little things. No, not a Royale with Cheese, but the little things we miss about where we're from, now that we live in The Land Of Smiles that is Thailand. Not to spoil everything from the episode completely, but here's the list of things we miss: Clothes dryers Psychological weather cues Easy access to drugs Easy access to my money But the reverse is true, and there are little things about living in Bangkok that we're going to miss should we ever leave The Big Mango. Again, you'll have to listen for the full details why we're really liking: Pain-free condo moving Rules bent cheaply Instant, ubiquitous transport options Space not at a premium If that doesn't make perfect sense, just listen. You'll get it it. And then you'll know why we love this place. Speaking of that... Love, Loathe, or Leave? First, heck yes! Let's keep the #loveloatheorleave hashtag going! Drop one on any social media property. We'll probably see it. Kinda like the shirtless farang. The clueless, class-less, totally-missing-the-point of living in Bangkok idiot who isn't wearing a shirt. Guess where they fall on our #loveloatheorleave scale. Listen in to find out some surprising facts about how the law can get involved if you choose to go topless, fellas. Want more? 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 iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. 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 for snarky Bangkok goodness. Evo chronicles his Bangkok adventures on Instagram from time to time, if that's your thing. See you next time on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)

27 Maalis 201729min