Bangkok Podcast 17: Finding an apartment in Bangkok

We think almost every long-term expat has been asked how long they've been here before, only to see the challenge, throw down their card, and ask the inevitable: "How about you?" It's an unspoken contest. But does it even matter? Greg and Ed tackle this issue of status, noting that although they've been in Thailand TWENTY YEARS, that number is dwarfed by such legendary expats as Joe Cummings (soon to be a guest on the podcast), who arrived in Thailand in 1977. Ed jokes that part of the appeal of the podcast is that the guys love to talk about all their mistakes and misunderstandings, but certainly they have learned a lot in twenty years. Greg throws out the distressing thought that simply being here twenty years may not lead to any more wisdom than being here ten, as Ed notes he probably is at his peak knowledge of Thailand now only because of his role as co-host of the podcast, which forces him to raise his game. The boys end up trading stories about various old timers they have met, with Joe C. leading the pack for Greg and a Catholic priest doing so for Ed. In the end, it's clear that the number of years you have in Thailand doesn't really mean diddly squat unless you spend that time pushing yourself into learning more about the country and engaging with its endlessly fascinating culture and people. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

13 Apr 202133min

Greg interviews Colonel Johnny Thoyts, an old friend who has been retired in Thailand for over 20 years. Johnny has had an interesting time in Thailand - as the former British military attaché, he summarizes his career and his various experiences living in Thailand and dealing with some of the country's top military and diplomatic brass. Next, Johnny recounts his life in Bangkok, Hua Hin, and more recently Khorat. Greg and Johnny discuss the cultural quirks of Thailand, from the Thais reaction to older foreigners living in Thailand to the Thai attitude of 'mai pen rai.' Then, Johnny relates the changing retirement rules in Thailand, including the cash required in Thai banks to support a retirement visa. He emphasizes the fairly harsh nature of Thai laws that apply to resident expats, as opposed to the laws of neighboring countries such as Malaysia. Although he likes his life in Thailand and has resigned himself to it, his dream (and the dream of many expats) is that Thailand revise the laws that apply to long time foreign residents who pay taxes, support their local communities, and have families. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

6 Apr 202147min

The guys discuss the sticky situation of what it means to lose your job in Thailand as an expat, and the relative insecurity that all of us have, no matter how long we've lived here. Ed gives a quick overview of the law: if you have a non-immigrant 'B' visa connected to a work permit and a Thai company, and your work permit is canceled, then your visa is also automatically canceled and you have exactly 7 days to leave the country. Now it may be possible to re-enter as a tourist, of course, but even that can cause significant life disruptions because it is not possible to get a new work permit with a tourist visa! Greg jumps in with a personal story of losing his job last year due to the ravages of COVID on the travel industry. He was in a particularly scary situation given that he is married with a kid, and even with all his years in Thailand, he would have been subject to the same 7-day rule as everybody else. Thankfully he had some luck and found a new job. Bullet dodged. Greg and Ed discuss the fairness (or more accurately, unfairness) of the rule and if there are any possible ways around it, and in general lament the harshness of some Thai laws as they relate to expats, as opposed to tourists. Suffice it to say that they don't call Thailand the 'Land of Smiles' because the expats here are always smiling. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

30 Mars 202129min

Greg interviews Midnight Poonkasetwattana and Inad Rendon, the Executive Director and Program Director at APCOM, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of gay men who are facing discrimination. We begin by raising the issue of the image of Thailand as a very gay-friendly place. Does the reality match the reputation? According to Midnight, in some ways, because Thai culture is less confrontational and LGBTQI people in Thailand are unlikely to face violence. However, Midnight notes that the West often provides legal protections lacking in Thailand, such as same-sex marriage or partnership rights. Inad tells his story of living in the Philippines as a gay and HIV-positive man, and the differences between his past life and what it's like living in Thailand. In general, the Philippines was more conservative and traditional, given the influence of Catholicism and Islam. But Inad concurs that it's a mistake to think of Thailand as a gay paradise. Check out TestBKK for more info on what's being done in this regard. The men continue with details on the myriad obstacles and difficulties that LGBTQI individuals encounter in Thailand, and the role that NGOs play in countries that don't have an extensive social safety net. Greg and the guests focus on the treatment of HIV-positive men in Thailand, how education can help remove ignorance around the situation, and how the situation is improving. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

23 Mars 202151min

Welcome to season 5! Greg and Ed discuss the new season, which admittedly is mostly a continuation of the last season - if it ain't broke, etc. But some nostalgia is warranted, and the guys reminisce about the last two seasons since Evo's departure. Ed can't believe he's done 150 shows plus, and both guys make some modest suggestions for changing things up. Maybe some shows should include video, at least for the patrons? Ed suggests revisiting earlier topics and updating them with new info. Greg concurs, and talks about some plans he has to get some higher-profile guests. Inserted are interviews with our gracious former co-hosts, Tony Joh and Evo Terra. Tony and Greg reminisce about the let's-see-if-this-works experience of season 1 and gives a few updates on his current status in Canada, planning a return to Japan and/or Europe, and re-launching the Tokyo Podcast. Evo then talks about his life in Arizona, and his insistence on using Thai in every Thai restaurant he can find in the States. Turns out Evo has is keeping very busy as a podcast producer extraordinaire and making his own show, Podcast Pontifications - unsurprising from one of the earliest podcasters on planet Earth. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

16 Mars 20211h 6min

Hey guys, Greg and Ed are taking this week off for a short break, but we'll be back with the first episode of SEASON FIVE (OMG) of the show on March 17. See you then!

9 Mars 202144s

Greg interviews Chris Larkin, creator of ThaiCitizenship.com, a website that answers all the confusing, conflicting, confounding questions about getting citizenship in Thailand. Half Thai-Half Australian, Chris grew up mainly in Australia and got his Thai passport in his early twenties. Now married to a woman from New Zealand, it was their yearly slog up to Chaeng Wattana to deal with visas and work permits that led them down the path of getting Thai citizenship for her, and setting up a site to help others get the info they need. Greg and Chris walk through the two main routes to citizenship: via permanent residency, or applying directly via marriage. The requirements are similar but not exactly the same, and some strategy is needed to determine what is best for you. Chris runs through some common misunderstandings (that you must be fluent in Thai for example), discusses the process, and lays out what he has learned over the years about best practices. In short Chris says that the process is definitely somewhat complicated and a lot bureaucratic, but if you dot all your i's and cross all your t's, you are very likely to end up with a shiny Thai passport. Good news for Greg and Ed, and our listeners too! Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

2 Mars 202153min

If Thailand is good for one thing, it's 'interesting' expats, and Greg and Ed keep it light with a humorous discussion of some of the crazy characters they've met over the years in Bangkok. All names have been changed of course, but Greg recounts a few stories of 'Chandler', an out-of-control, heavy drinking, motorcycle riding, jacket busting, wrecking ball of an expat, as well an African refugee who recounted stories of civil war that sobered Greg up real quick. Ed counters with a few stories of a chap who couldn't open his refrigerator door lest he be electrocuted and spent his evenings dropping acid and watching his pet turtles race, as well as a Swedish friend who ended up getting deported and incarcerated back home on the continent. There are always stories to entertain and lessons to learn if you ask a question and listen, and Bangkok is a fantastic place to mine for stories and lessons. And remember - if you're bored in Bangkok, the problem ain't Bangkok. :) Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

23 Feb 202135min