Avoiding the Newbie Drama: Are Long-Term Expats Just Lucky? [S8.E16]

In our continuing Buddhist series, we sit down with Robin Moore, who spent over a decade as a monk in both the UK and Thailand, but eventually left the monkhood and rejoined lay-life. He tells us about his interesting journey, from being drawn to Buddhism as a teenager, to going on alms rounds in the UK (and trying to make it not look like begging), to why his mother cried when he joined the monkhood - and cried again when he left. We also cover the difficulties in fitting back in to a life that is generally at odds with a monastic one - everything from dating to driving a car to playing sports. Robin gives us a personal and fascinating look into his life pre-, during, and post-monkhood.

13 Touko 201149min

If you've found yourself out at a club at any time during the last 5 or 6 years in Bangkok, chances are you're familiar with DJ Octo. As one of the best known and most popular DJ's in town, he spins at hot venues like Q Bar and Bed Supperclub, and collaborates with a wide network of musicians, videographers, performers and artists to keep Bangkok's party crowds going late into the night. But just like many others who move to Bangkok, Octo came to Bangkok with a much different plan ten years ago. From retreating to forest monasteries, to scuba diving on Ko Tao, to sweating away in the 9-5 grind, he tells us what it's like entertaining crowds of thousands, how technology has completely revolutionized the industry, and what song you should ask him to play if you want to get punched in the face. Greg and Tony also talk about the many holidays in the month of May, and Greg ponders if he inadvertently contributed to the brutal death of a poor pigeon in Lumpini Park.

8 Touko 201152min

In today's digital world, the requirements for being a travel writer are pretty minimal: do you have a computer? Have you travelled? Bam! Travel writer. But a few decades ago, being a travel writer was something rare; an exotic, sometimes dangerous job that took you into the dark, unexplored corners of the world on adventures of all kinds. On this episode of Bangkok Podcast, we welcome Joe Cummings, legendary travel writer, best-selling author, badass musician, and all-around cool dude. Back when the tallest building in Thailand was the Dusit Thani Hotel, Joe pitched the idea of a guidebook to Thailand to a little company called Lonely Planet, and ended up being in charge of the company's best-selling guide for 25 years. He's also written guidebooks on Burma, Laos, and Mexico, as well as one-off volumes on various aspects of Asian art and architecture. His new book, Sacred Tattoos of Thailand, will be released in June. Joe also tells us how he ended up stranded on a boat for three days in the middle of the ocean with three Indonesian fishermen, how advanced technology has changed the art of travel writing, and what he thinks will happen with Thailand's ongoing political troubles. Also, don't forget to join the BANGKOK PODCAST 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY on May 15th at the swanky Q-Up lounge. Good people, good drinks, good times!

1 Touko 201154min

ZOOM! That was the sound of a whole year going by!  It was in May 2010 that Tony and Greg put up the first episode of the Bangkok Podcast, and it's been a fun, interesting (and sometimes frustrating) year. This episode marks the 50th weekly show for the Bangkok Podcast, and to celebrate we thought'd we take a look back at the topics we've covered in the past 50 weeks by updating you on what our past interview guests have been up to; where the important issues we discuss have ended up; and how some of the interesting developments that have taken place in Thailand have affected Tony, Greg, and the people they know. From Scientology to bird crap, beaches to heart attacks, and boobies to weddings, we give you the lowdown on what the past year has shown us. Also don't forget to join us on MAY 15 to celebrate our birthday at Q BAR. Thanks to their generous support, a 500 baht cover gets you free flow drinks from 8-10pm. Spend the night at Bangkok's hippest night club (in the swanky, upstairs lounge, natch) with all who have made Bangkok Podcast such a success over the past year!

24 Huhti 20111h

We've done a fair number of shows so far about learning Thai, but one of the most fundamental questions has yet to be discussed - is learning Thai actually hard, or do we foreigners just make it seem that way? We're joined once again by our Thai language Jedi Rikker Dockum as he talks about the particulars of the Thai language, how the human brain processes it, and some of the roadblocks that we encounter (or make) as we attempt to learn it. He also tells us how he keeps his Thai skills sharp, how age plays a role in learning language, and the value of making mistakes. We are also joined by the crew from BangkokFoodTours.com, who will be leading our upcoming walking food tour. They tell us a bit about their company, how it began, and what we can expect on our outing.

15 Huhti 201141min

In most western cultures, moving out of your parent's place and into your own life is considered a rite of adulthood and one which many are eager to do as soon as possible, but in Thailand things work differently. It's very common for people to live at home until they are married - often into their 30's - live with their spouse, and then have their parents move in with them when they reach retirement. Family plays a very big role in Thai society. So what's it like for a Thai to move to a strange country and be forced to live on their own without the emotional or financial support of their family? We are happy to be joined by Ms. Orapa, a young woman who recently returned from living in London for four years. It's a very interesting look at some of thing things that we, as expats in Thailand, must deal with but through the eyes of a Thai. What happens when the novelty of a new city wears off? How do you make friends when everyone is constantly moving away? What are your options if you miss Thai food? Orapa gives us some great insights into what she loved, what she missed, and how she coped on her own in her time overseas. Greg and Tony also discuss details of their upcoming ONE YEAR ANNIVERSAY PARTY at Q-BAR, which is sure to be an epic event; and talk a bit about Songkran, and how they're looking forward to not taking part in it. We also take a look at three events from BK Magazine this week - a night of metal; a night of multiple DJ's; and a T-shirt festival with a ton of music.

10 Huhti 201149min

On this episode of Bangkok Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Clark, co-owner and co-founder of QBar, Bangkok's hippest, coolest night club. Besides being a superb and friendly chap, Andrew talks to us about the humble beginnings of QBar, and what it takes to stay at the front of the line in an indusrty that's notorious for big openings and quick closures. He also gives us the lowdown on playing by the rules when the rules are constantly changing, the difficulties in keeping working girls (and guys!) out of the club, and the dirty tricks that other bars resort to when they're jealous of the industry leader. Greg and Tony also discuss Tony's upcoming trip to Ko Chang, the annoyance of sitting on a bus for more than a few hours, and the secret to how they both stay so pasty-white (hint: we never leave Bangkok). We also continue our partnerships with BK Magazine, Bangkok's best source for what's going on, and give a few quick details on a cheesy concert that the girls will love, a sobering photography exhibit, and a SUPER GIANT FUN TIME!

3 Huhti 201144min

Joined once again by the Thai language Jedi Rikker, he schools Greg and Tony on a few Thai phrases that have no direct translation into English. What exactly does 'Mai Pen Rai' mean, and why is more than just a phrase? How do you tell someone 'Greng Jai' without leading to a Marx Brothers-style contest on who wants to disturb the other person the least? We also go off on a few tangents that include where 'Krap' and 'Ka' come from, and how Chaucer's original English has mutated into the 's we use today. This is also the first show where we talk about our partnership with BK Magazine. Starting today, at the beginning of each show we'll highlight a few random selections from Bangkok's best English weekly to give you a few ideas for what to do over the coming week. This week: beer, bodies, and a certain skinny fat boy.  Greg also gives us the lowdown on his first bicycle accident and how even the act of getting thrown over your handlebars in Thailand can turn into a unique example of Thai hospitality.

27 Maalis 201141min