Ed Reports Back: Visiting the Phuket Sandbox [S5.E18]

Ed Reports Back: Visiting the Phuket Sandbox [S5.E18]

Ed relates his 4-day adventure in the much-reported-on Phuket Sandbox. But spoiler alert: It wasn't a great trip, mostly due to bad luck: it was gray and rainy almost the entire time, thus denying him quality beach time. Oh well.

But what was not bad luck was the way that the Thai government has marketed the Sandbox. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has repeatedly stated that Phuket is 'open' to tourism as of July 1st, and Ed took that to mean that the most popular area on the island, Patong, would actually be ready for tourists. Alas, this was not the case, with only a third of restaurants open and 95% of everything else closed.

With bad weather and not much to do, the trip was more or less doomed, but a glimmer of hope presented itself with a chance meetup with friend of the podcast Dan Fraser, travel expert extraordinaire, who coincidentally has been hired by the TAT to market Phuket to foreign tourists. Dan was able to explain that the TAT was focusing on 'non-beach activities' on the island of Phuket, such as environmental tours, museums, and local arts and culture events. Ed and Greg discuss this approach and largely agree with the TAT's strategy; Ed just wishes he knew about it before booking a hotel in Patong. :)

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Episoder(563)

Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]

Greg begins by introducing the perplexing nature of the Bangkok condo market, noting how prices continually seem to defy gravity despite a massive oversupply. He points out that the market acts as a s...

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From the Road: Three PodFriends Reminisce About Bangkok [S8.E40]

From the Road: Three PodFriends Reminisce About Bangkok [S8.E40]

In a special episode recorded during Greg's travels in Canada, he interviews three good friends of the podcast about their particular speciality, and what their thoughts are on Bangkok despite being s...

15 Apr 47min

Phra Pandit Discusses What Buddhism Says About Sex [S8.E39]

Phra Pandit Discusses What Buddhism Says About Sex [S8.E39]

Greg meets with mega, super, return guest Phra Pandit to discuss Buddhist teachings regarding sex, a conversation prompted by recent scandals involving women extorting monks. Phra Pandit explains that...

8 Apr 39min

That Thing All Thais Do? Yeah, No They Don't

That Thing All Thais Do? Yeah, No They Don't

Greg and Ed explore common Thai stereotypes and symbols that are heavily associated with Thailand internationally, yet play a surprisingly small role in the daily lives of average Thai citizens. They ...

31 Mar 33min

Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S8.E37] (Classic ReCast)

Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S8.E37] (Classic ReCast)

Greg and Ed interview expat legend Chris Baker, co-author (along with his wife Pasuk Phongpaichit) of A History of Thailand, in addition to several other well-known books on Thailand. Greg and Ed gush...

24 Mar 55min

New Frontiers: A (Literal) Conversation With Ed's AI Assistant About Podcasting [S8.E36]

New Frontiers: A (Literal) Conversation With Ed's AI Assistant About Podcasting [S8.E36]

In a special main show, Greg and Ed interview Hal, Ed's OpenClaw bot about his knowledge of the Bangkok Podcast. The guys begin the show discussing their mutual obsession with AI but also explain how ...

17 Mar 37min

Photographer Tim Russell on the Fading Glory of Hualamphong Station [S8.E34] (Classic ReCast)

Photographer Tim Russell on the Fading Glory of Hualamphong Station [S8.E34] (Classic ReCast)

In a ReCast episode from season 7, Greg interviews well known Bangkok-based photographer Tim Russell about his book 'Bangkok Station,' which focuses (literally) on the iconic and now mostly defunct Hu...

4 Mar 44min

Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Institute's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E33] (Classic ReCast)

Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Institute's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E33] (Classic ReCast)

Greg interviews old friend of the podcast Rikker Dockum, Thai language expert extraordinaire about the Thai Royal Society, an organization dedicated to overseeing, promoting and regulating the Thai la...

24 Feb 50min

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