Paradise Lost? Island Living in Thailand (2.47)

After his latest video dropped and generated a lot of buzz, Greg and Ed interview Stu Jay Raj, the podcast's Thai language expert, but this time Stu explains his new video and website discussing the cost of international school in Thailand. As most people are aware, the Thai public school system is not particularly strong, especially for students looking for a solid education in English. Hence, there is a demand for education in English up to an international standard among both Thais and foreigners in Thailand. Here's the rub: the quality of international schools themselves varies a lot, and they can get VERY expensive. But - Stu wanted to try a thought experiment - what if you were to take the exorbitant fees associated with international schools in Thailand and invest it instead? Stu explains that he used his coding expertise to scrape the websites of dozens of international schools in Thailand for as much school fee information as he could find. With that information, he created an interactive web page where you can see the total costs over a number of years of sending your child to a particular school. Of course, it's not that easy to simply school your kid through other means and put a bunch of money away, but it poses an interesting question - would your kid be better off graduating from an international school, or being given several million dollars in their mid-20s? The guys discuss the various ramifications and a new way to look at the ROI of an education. The answer isn't always obvious as the guys discover. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

20 Maj 58min

Thai cuisine is remarkably good at adopting flavors and ingredients into its fold, but there are some that just have not made the cut. In a city where you can find almost any type of food from around the world, certain Western foods seem to get embraced by Thais, while others don't. For example, while not SUPER popular, both pizza and hamburgers are eaten regularly by the locals. But what things haven't made the cut? First, Greg brings up cheese, especially of the stinky variety. Outside of pizza, Thais rarely eat cheese and haven't really incorporated it into their own cuisine. Although excellent cheese is available, especially in gourmet markets, it's more of a passing fancy rather than the obsession it is in the West. Second, Ed mentions bread, which opens up a bit of debate among the guys. Ed contents Thais don't really eat sandwiches, hence sliced sandwich bread is not very popular. Further, 'table' bread, Italian-style, is not very common. But Greg notes that his Thai wife does like to snack on bread, so perhaps bread plays more of a role in-between meals than the central role it plays back home. The guys then run through six more very common Western foodstuffs that Thais eat but haven't fallen in love with. PS - While at a water stop on a bike ride last week, Greg told his buddy Wim about this episode, mentioning cheese and bacon. Wim happened to look to next to him, and hold up a packet of macaroni cheese and bacon, highlighting the fact that the topic is never a cut-and-dry case. (pic below) Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

13 Maj 37min

Greg interviews Phra Pandit about Buddhist monks and politics. Greg begins by framing the issue around the recent tumultuous nature of politics around the world. Could Buddhist calmness provide an answer? Well, Phra Pandit begins by making clear that under the rules of the Sangha as interpreted in Thailand, monks are definitely not permitted to become politicians or really work for the government in any capacity. In fact, Thai monks in general are not supposed to even express opinions about politics as monks are seen as above the worldly nature of politics. Phra Pandit does note however that not every country is the same. In Sri Lanka, monks are notoriously political, forming their own parties, and participating in marches and protests. Phra Pandit explains that different cultures have resulted in the rules governing monks being interpreted in different ways. In Thailand, technically the King is the head of Thai Buddhism, and the King of course is above politics. Perhaps this role model helps to explain the Thai interpretation of the rules. Phra Pandit does explain, however, that famous politicians have become monks upon leaving politics, as a symbolic way of atoning for their sins. The two continue with more examples of how monks interact with the government without getting directly involved in political affairs.

6 Maj 49min

Bangkok's a big city that's got her own rules. You can try to fight them, but in the end, in certain situations, no matter how much you beg and plead, Bangkok wins, and you lose. Greg and Ed discuss ten ways Bangkok can own you: frustrating 'gotchas' that are devilishly difficult to avoid. Even veterans of the city with tons of experience still sometimes forget the nuance or fail to think about the what-ifs and end up standing there like a fool, muttering under their breath. This still definitely happens with Greg and Ed, so if you don't want to get burned on your next visit to Thailand, keep these in mind - learned from cold, hard experience. From sidewalk squirts and freezing aircon to improper documentation and lack of change in a taxi, Greg and Ed recount multiple ways you can get 'got' in the Land of Smiles. Sometimes you beat Bangkok, but sometimes the city owns YOU. 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.

29 Apr 43min

Greg and Ed jump on the bandwagon and discuss the recent trend of images of 'action figures' generated by AI. ChatGPT especially seems quite good at creating semblances of plastic blister packs filled with dolls and accessories that might go along with them. Hence, the guys take a look at 9 different images based on Thai stereotypes before offering images of their own action figures, which AI helpfully created for them. Figures include such classic stereotypes as a 'Pattaya Old Boy,' a Content Creator in Thailand, a Bar Girl, a Chiang Mai Expat, a White Guy in Pai, etc. The guys go through each image and discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and find a surprising amount of nuance and insight into Thai culture in a few of them. The show ends with each discussing the other's action figure - while Greg's looked like an actual doll (though a particularly ripped one) Ed's looked exactly like Ed - just shrinkwrapped. Listen in to hear what accessories each of their action figures came with. Enjoy! :) Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

22 Apr 44min

Greg and Ed discuss some interesting expats they have met over the years - both good and bad - and what lessons they have managed to glean from them. Thailand is a bit of a strange stew of expats; with many different types of people coming together in a foreign land, you are apt to meet and/or befriend people in Thailand that you never would back home. The results can be positive or negative, but either way, there can be lessons to be learned. Greg begins with an anecdote he's mentioned on the show before, about 'VP,' a random character that took Greg to a party filled with U.N. people. Although the people there were 'interesting' in the sense that they were educated and well-traveled, Greg felt their snobbery at his low status in Thailand intensely and had to bail. He learned that there is a bit of an unspoken 'expat strata' in Bangkok and that people can - fairly or unfairly - place you within that strata no matter where you meet them. Ed counters with a story of a Swedish friend, who although being a great guy in Thailand, ended up being deported back to Sweden for old legal problems. Ed woke up to the fact that when you meet expats later in life, you have no idea what kind of baggage they have from earlier in life. Greg then brings up an old coworker named Seth, who was fairly normal in the daytime, but who Greg realized was deeply embedded into the seedier side of Bangkok's nightlife. The takeaway: not all foreigners just dip their toes into the redlight districts; some dive in and never get out, and if you're not careful, you can be pulled along with them. Ed finishes with an unfortunate anecdote about an American friend who was prominent in the expat community in Thailand until he suffered a serious illness and had to return to the United States. The experience made Ed realize that nothing is permanent, and although your expat life might SEEM solid, some bad luck could cause you to be yanked back home. Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

15 Apr 42min

Greg and Ed address the unavoidable topic du jour: the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 that was felt all the way to Bangkok. Greg begins by pointing out that even though much ink and many words have already been spilled on the topic, listeners may be concerned about traveling to Bangkok now or the safety of Bangkok's buildings in general. They guys decide to do their civic duty and chime in. First, they relate their personal stories - Ed was at home first thought he was getting dizzy (and old) but after realizing it was an earthquake mainly went about his day as normal. Greg was in his office when it hit, and he and his colleagues calmly evacuated the building. Subsequently, they both experienced the insane traffic conditions - Ed took an hour and 45 minutes to get from Khao San to Thong Lor and Greg took almost three hours to get from his office in Hua Mak to his home in Thonburi. Ouch! Lesson: when the BTS and MRT shut down, stay off the roads as much as possible. 🙂 The guys then consider the government's response to the event and the durability of Bangkok's buildings. Ed notes that while a single building collapsing certainly is a tragedy, he is surprised many more didn't go down given how old some Bangkok neighborhoods are. Greg points out that Thai people in general are quite good at remaining calm in a crisis, given the number of floods, coups and riots they have been through. Last, at least for now, the Thai government seems to be taking very seriously the task of figuring out exactly why one building did collapse and determining who is to blame. Both guys agree Bangkok appears to be as safe as ever. :) Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

8 Apr 35min

With the big holiday nearly here, Greg and Ed reminisce about their various Songkran experiences over the years. Ed notes that last year was a breakthrough year: he actually went out and 'threw water' for the first time in many years and had a blast. Greg points out that it's pretty common for expats to love Songkran at first, but then quickly switch to avoiding the raucous celebrations for many years. Greg has found special Songkran celebrations specifically designed to be kid-friendly, which has allowed him to keep in touch with the experience without a lot of the craziness. Ed recounts his very first Songkran experience in Chiang Mai, a pivotal moment in his early years in Thailand as it was an amazingly good time that included three full days of brutal water wars. Ever since then he has been 'chasing the dragon' of that first experience. Greg then uses AI to do some insightful comparisons between Songkran of 2005 and Songkran of 2025. The AI does a fairly good job of noting the transition of the holiday from being primarily local to being now well-known around the world, and one in which the prior emphasis was on traditional family ritual while today the experience is much more professionalized and commercial. Also check out the photo of a very young Greg at his first Songkran, with his friend Amanda. Oh to be young and wrinkle-free again! Regardles of how it has changed, Songkran remains a defining Thai experience not to be missed by tourists and expats. Just bring a good attitude and prepare to get soaked! Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

1 Apr 39min