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

Greg interviews Aim Chareonphan, the CEO of Hubba Thailand, a coworking pioneer in Thailand. From humble beginnings borne out of a frustration with coworking spaces that weren't...quite...there yet, Aim and his partner conceived of a place that was more than just a workspace; somewhere that provided a community that supports entrepreneurs and startups, a resource itself rather than just a place to get work done. Aim details the many obstacles his company has faced, not the least of which was educating the Thai market about the nature of startups and the role that a supportive workspace could play in their success. Another main factor is the rapid change happening in the workforce in Thailand and around the world. In short, the traditional 'office' is slowly but surely becoming less popular. According to Khun Aim, right now only 1% of office space in Asia is coworking, but by 2030 that number is expected to be 10-15%! Aim gets into some stats and figures that portend a drastic change in how people - and companies - get work done amidst this new paradigm. The best news of all is how companies like HUBBA can bolster the pledges made by government to push Thailand's young generation to be innovative, risk-taking, out-of-the-box thinkers. While skepticism abounds, Aim indicates there are at least some reasons to be optimistic. That's always good to hear. :) 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.

9 Apr 201943min

First of all - we're on YouTube! Well, just the audio of each show, but still...makes it easier to listen. Head on over to our channel and subscribe! On to the show… In a continuation of the series on Thai history, Greg and Ed discuss the fascinating career and tragic death of Mitr Chaibancha, perhaps Thailand's greatest movie star. From his early days growing poverty to a promising career as a lightweight Muay Thai fighter, to an Air Force flight at Don Meuang Royal Thai Air Force base, Khun Mitr's life was interesting from the start. After a chance meeting, Khun Mitr met a film producer and was cast in his first small movie role. From there, his career took off, and he would eventually star in an insane 266 films over a 14 year career (averaging one every three weeks!). Specializing in both romance and action, most of his films were made on a small budget but were a hit across the country as his legend grew. Unfortunately, Khun Mitr's last film, The Golden Eagle (don't miss the awesome plot summary by Greg), would end in tragedy as his refusal to use a stuntman would result in his untimely death. His cremation was mobbed by hundreds of thousands of fans, something that the Bangkok Post called "The most riotous and trouble-plagued funeral rite in living memory". Click here to see a documentary on Mitr (in Thai), including footage of his cremation. 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.

2 Apr 201929min

Greg and Ed reminisce about Ed's first year as co-host of the Bangkok Podcast. Ed begins with a big 'thank you' to Greg for giving him the opportunity, and Greg gives a brief history of the BP over the years, from Season 1 with Tony Joh, which lasted for about a year and a half, to Season 2 with Evo Terra, which lasted about the same amount of time, and then to the last year with Ed. Ed talks about what he has liked and disliked about being the co-host, such as the weekly deadlines that are a bit stressful, and what it does to your brain to dive deep into Bangkok on a weekly basis. The best part for Ed? He particularly enjoys the less serious nature of the podcast, a break from the heaviness of being a professor all day- it's just been a surprisingly fun side gig! Greg also discusses the effect of having to work with different co-hosts, and admits that each one has added a unique flavor to the show (with Ed bringing in new philosophical takes on on Thailand), but that in general, his vision has been the same over the years - honest talk from two regular guys about what it's like living in the wacky, wonderful world of Bangkok. Both agree that the show has also helped them to reconnect to their early days in Thailand, helping them to revisit a lot of their earliest memories of being here. Finally, one of the things Ed appreciates most is how the show doesn't involve incessantly bashing Thailand, but also does not shy away from honest criticism. Here's to another year of the dynamic and dare we say dangerous duo of Greg and Ed! 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.

26 Mars 201941min

Bangkok is a giant, chaotic, constantly evolving megalopolis. But guess what? If you live here long enough, you'll get bored. Happens to everybody. You'll lose your groove and get stuck in a rut. So what to do? Greg and Ed give their best advice as long term expats, focusing mainly on relocating to a lesser known, more Thai parts of the city. With a quick introduction interview by Greg's buddy Dom, who recently had his attitude changed by moving across town, the boys recount moving to new neighborhoods themselves - Ed to Rachada and later Thonburi, and Greg to Chinatown - and reinvigorating their Bangkok experience. Greg then goes into detail about three unheralded parts of the city - the area along Chan Road, Bang Ko Laem on the far end of Rama III Road, and the Dusit/Nakhon Chai Si area on the Northern end of Samsen Road (see a map here). Each of these has easy access into Bangkok, but retain a unique Thainess that would present a great adventure for any farang. Ed puts in a vote for Bang Kachao, the green lung of Bangkok, a near island in the middle of the Chao Praya that is like no other part of the city. The boys conclude with some advice for those not ready to make a big move: a lot of times we think we know our own neighborhoods, when in fact there's plenty to explore right around the corner. A little curiosity and a lot of Google go a long way! 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.

19 Mars 201941min

Greg interviews writer, commentator, and Muay Thai fighter Matt Lucas about the life of a foreigner in Bangkok practicing the Thai national sport. Matt begins with his background story - living in San Francisco and choosing between working in a bar and being becoming a drunk or practicing Muay Thai and only drinking on weekends. :) Muay Thai won out, and he Matt became serious about the sport, travelled to Thailand, and eventually relocated here. Matt is not only a fighter, he's also a chronicler of the sport, a proper 'Muay Thai journalist.' Matt talks about how Muay Thai has changed over time, moving out of the pure gambling context into the world of being a popular sport, and a form of entertainment. Greg and Matt talk about the difficulties he's faced as a foreigner practicing the national sport of another culture, the natural barriers expats encounter, such as use of Thai language, and the way the Muay Thai is ingrained in the culture of the rural countryside, which also makes it hard for foreigners to participate directly. He also discusses the difficulties that foreigners have when trying to understand the world of Muay Thai, including some of its problems (like injuries to children), while lacking a deep understanding of Thai culture in general. Foreigners, as he points out, don't always know better. :) 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.

12 Mars 201942min

The guys discuss something of great interest to many of our listeners - where to take the best photos in Bangkok. Ed begins by discussing main tourist attractions such as temples; they have been photographed millions of times, but if you aren't looking for something unique, Bangkok's disparate temples are a great place to practice. For something a little out of the way, Ed also recommends a trip to Ayutthaya for a 'mini-Angkor' experience, which, while also over-photographed, is something special for the noobie. Greg chimes in with a vote for Talad Noi, his old stomping ground, which is filled with odd architecture, abandoned vehicles, industrial equipment, and a vibe right out of Blade Runner (especially when it rains). Ed next points out that Bangkok's skies can provide dramatic photographs, both at sunup and sundown, and during storms, (partially due to the air pollution), but who are we to question where beauty comes from? Greg puts a vote in for Phahurat (aka Little India), and most especially the gnarled mass of sois behind a large Sikh temple, amidst other photo ops. Ed also suggests the back of Benjasiri Park, where some great action shots can be grabbed of the takraw players there. To close, a discussion of Bangkok's coolest architecture, including a few iconic buildings and bridges that lend themselves to some dramatic vistas. Did we miss any? What's your favorite place in Bangkok to snap a few awesome photos? 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.

5 Mars 201932min

Has it already been a whole year? Greg interviews former co-host Evo Terra, who has been back in the United States for one year since leaving Thailand. What does he miss? What doesn't he miss? And more importantly - can Evo get his precious fish sauce in Phoenix? But before that, we gotta mention our giveaway of sweet, sweet jerky by Siam BBQ Company - listen to learn how you can win a box of free meat! (That sounds dodgy, but trust us, it's delicious). Evo begins - naturally - with Thai food, saying that it's everywhere but none tastes exactly like the food in Thailand. Nevertheless, he praises the cuisine of 'Glai Ban,' a local restaurant that is about as close as he can get to the real thing. Further, Evo has to run outside of Phoenix to a genuine Asian market for his Ma Ma noodle and (ack, ugh) fish sauce fix. Other comparisons are made too - healthcare, weather, and funerals. That's right - Evo sighs when he remembers that his day was never ruined by funeral processions in Bangkok, leading to a discussion of modern mortuary practices. Yeah, it got dark. Finally, Evo admits that he misses being "the guy who doesn't belong," as he and Greg discuss the relative peace that can (sometimes) come with being a stranger in a strange land. But while he misses Thailand greatly, Evo finishes with a few creature comforts that he enjoys greatly back home that Thailand simply couldn't give him. She's a harsh mistress, my friend. 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.

26 Feb 201939min

"The Land of Smiles" has been one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history. So much so, that many people come to Thailand thinking that every single person in the country is a smiling angel, and are shocked when someone is mean or tries to scam them. This is Greg's theory anyway, and it's one of many that he and Ed discuss as they ponder if Thailand really is deserving of its title as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Spoiler - both Greg and Ed think it probably is, but there are a few caveats. How does social structure dictate outward friendliness? Is there a difference between being friendly and being nice? And how much of this reputation comes from dumbass foreigners like us misinterpreting subtle social cues that are embedded deep in Thai culture? Much like one's opinion of Thailand will be colored by their individual experience, so are Thais colored by their individual personalities, and a sweeping generalization - even a positive one - doesn't do any country justice. As Greg subtly explains: "Some of the biggest dickheads I know are Canadians, and we're all supposed to be nice!" 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.

19 Feb 201933min