Expat Insights: Owning a Restaurant in Bangkok [Season 3, Episode 30]

Expat Insights: Owning a Restaurant in Bangkok [Season 3, Episode 30]

A common dream for many expats in Thailand is to open their own bar or restaurant. Ed interviews Matthew Fischer, a local restaurateur and bar owner, who has successfully started two bars in Bangkok - Fatty's on Rama IX, and the Fat Tap off of Ekkamai. Matthew recounts the trials and tribulations that took Fatty's from a mere whisper of an idea to a six-year Bangkok institution.

But it certainly ain't for everyone - Matthew's tale is a cautionary one. Long hours in the kitchen, the stress of finding the right location, and the complications of working with your partner all present real (but surmountable) obstacles. Even with his success, he insists that bars are bad as pure investments - but there is a bright side: foreigners with a true passion can succeed at starting their own bar or restaurant in Thailand.

Matthew has taken his Wisconsin cuisine of burgers and beers (and lots of cheese) and transplanted it to the other side of the world, giving Thais, expats, and tourists the taste of real, homegrown American food, all at a reasonable price. If you want to follow in Matthew's path, just get ready to sweat. :)

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.

Episoder(562)

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

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

In a special episode, Greg and Ed interview Kevin Maes in Kevin's own podcast studio on Rama IV. Kevin is a long-time expat in Thailand hailing from Belgium who became entangled in a very unfortunate ...

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Talking with Phra Pandit: Amulets, Talismans, Relics & Faith [S8.E14] (Classic ReCast)

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It's been a while, but one of our favorite semi-regular guests is back! Bangkok Podcast's official Buddhist correspondent, Phra Pandit, welcomed Greg at his temple to talk about amulets, talismans, an...

30 Sep 202536min

Greg & Ed Opine on BBC's 'Documentary' and Media Misconceptions of Thailand [S8.E13)

Greg & Ed Opine on BBC's 'Documentary' and Media Misconceptions of Thailand [S8.E13)

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23 Sep 202541min

Chatwan Mongkok Digs Into Bangkok with His 'Soiciety' Newsletter [S8.E12]

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16 Sep 202542min

Grave Topic: Discussing Bangkok's Protestant & Chinese Cemeteries [S8.E11]

Grave Topic: Discussing Bangkok's Protestant & Chinese Cemeteries [S8.E11]

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9 Sep 202532min

Can Bangkok Be Enjoyed Without Booze? [S8.E10]

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2 Sep 202529min

Don't Do These Things: How to Earn an Expat Demerit Badge [S8.E9] (Classic ReCast)

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26 Aug 202537min

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