Teaching In Thailand: A Professional Western Teacher's Perspective (2.24)
What do pro Western teachers think about teaching in Thailand? And are we seeing the end of Uber in Bangkok? And if so, will canal taxis pick up the slack? All that and more on this episode of The Bangkok Podcast Taxis in Bangkok would probably make for a good Love, Loathe, or Leave segment, but recent moves by Thailand to restrict popular "ridesharing" services make it worthy of our opening banter. After that, Greg has a chat with Sheila Dee a Western-trained, professional educator working in Thailand. There are lots of Westerners acting as English teachers in Thailand. Greg used to be one of them. But Sheila's a bit different, holding a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction. In the Thai private school where she teaches, five subjects -- English, Math, Science, Physical Education, and Computers -- are taught by native English teachers. Social studies and Thai (as in the language) are taught in Thai, and her students also study Chinese (actually in Chinese, if that's not obvious). For her school as well as the many international schools in Bangkok, that level of immersion and integration requires educators trained in their subject field, not just someone who happens to be a native English-speaker. As a Western trained teacher, Sheila's learning how to modify her style. As an American teacher, she knows how to deal with American students. But not all of that directly translates to teaching in Thailand, with different expectations from administration, parents, and students. Some of those are a net positive, like the premium administration places on Western teachers and the noticeable lack of discipline issues, for example. But some require her to change her expectations, like translating the concept of "saving face" into classroom management and not trying to "fix" everything. It's not easy being a teacher, which is why Thailand is starting to change how they look for teachers. Yes, there are still plenty of teachers with a degree in something (anything) and a TEFL certificate. However, Sheila's seeing an emphasis on seeking out real teachers (like her) with real experience of prior teaching in the Western world. Love, Loathe, or Leave? It's our first listener submission! ThailightZone wants us to talk about the khlong boats, specifically those that shuttle busy commuters along the saen saep canal. It's a uniquely local Thai experience, but you'll have to listen to see how we feel about this odd transportation style. Want more? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. But if you run into a snag, get in touch. We'll help! Drop us a line using the contact form, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
20 Mars 201729min
Magic Ink: Evo Visits the Mystical Sak Yant Tattoo Festival (2.23)
You may or may not have heard about the Sak Yant tattoo festival before, but after hearing this episode of the Bangkok Podcast, you sure as darn heck won't be able to forget about it. For years travelers have been entertained by tales of screaming men rushing the stage, possessed by the spirits of the tattoos that cover their bodies in sheets of intricate sub-dermal ink. But it's not merely an odd tourist attraction - the men who have them, the monks who give them, and the shamans who 'recharge' them all hold the tattoos - and the power they say they represent - in the highest regard. With an origin story that involves a Burmese invasion, sinking boats, lost Buddha images, and man-eating tigers, it sounds like something from a novel by Graham Greene or Joseph Conrad, but it's all - very probably - true. Evo and his lovely wife Sheila headed up to Wat Bang Phra in Nakhon Pathom - about 50km west of Bangkok - to check out the festivities and boy did they get the goods. Hanging out with devotees on Friday evening and then recording their screams, gurgles, laughs, and chants on the Saturday, Evo gives a description of what it's like in the middle of the action. Those screams, gurgles, laughs and chants can be heard in the podcast, by the way. Here's a few pictures - but head over to Sheila's Flickr album to see more. Love, Loathe or Leave? Evo springs his LLoL on Greg - what does he think of the national anthem that plays every day at 8am and 6pm? Is it an annoying distraction, a treasured cultural identifier, or something in between? Have a listen to the song in the video below if you're not familiar, then follow along with their discussion at home! https://youtu.be/BrcGzLIEsAU?t=10 Want more? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. But if you run into a snag, get in touch. We'll help! Drop us a line at the contact page up top, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
15 Mars 201730min
Talking with Paul Mueller: How Much Time Does Bangkok's Green Lung Have Left? (2.22)
When you look at Bangkok on a map, you see this enigmatic little patch of green just off center. It's not a trick. It really exists. Historically, few people fought the traffic to get here. But that's changing, and modern encroachment on the green lungs of Bangkok is threatening this not-quite-hidden gem of Bangkok. Life in Thailand is hot. Welcome to the tropics! But this year seems to have gotten hotter earlier. Or maybe we're just getting old and are fixating on the weather. Of more importance to this issue is a lovely place in Bangkok to visit that allows some respite from the heat. That place is Prapadaeng -- also called Bang Krachao -- Bangkok's "green lung". We mentioned it briefly on a previous episode, promising to return to the topic with a much more in depth discussion. To give the topic the proper consideration, Greg invites his friend Paul to talk about this hidden-in-plain-sight key area of Bangkok that is, saddly, in danger of losing it's luster. Because development. Today on the show we speak with six-year resident Paul Mueller. This American expat made this amazing meander in the Chao Phraya river his home after a solo bike trip led him to a rickety looking dock with an even more rickety looking ferry attached, but with an enticing green area on the other side of the river. He was stunned by the peace, quiet and space -- things that are hard to find in urban Bangkok, where we literally live on top of one another. But not in Bang Krachao. Cars are rare in the interior, and even motorbikes aren't terribly common. Instead people walk or ride bikes to get from place to place, harkening to a simpler time. But those small bikeways are getting blocked, trees are being uprooted, and that abundance of space is threatened. Not by condos (yet), but by people who are choosing to make their home there, taking advantage of the tranquility of the area. As in the rest of Thailand, if someone is properly connected, they can probably side-step a few zoning restrictions. The floating market is growing in popularity -- and that's a good thing -- but that's bringing it's own challenges. More cars. More room for those cars to park. And of course more businesses to sell stuff to the people who drive those cars. You know… development. There's a lot of pressure on the area, and we can only hope that the commitment to keeping Bangkok's green lung, well… green, stays the course. In the meantime, you might want to plan your trip sooner rather than later. Just in case. Here's a short video you can watch that talks about the challenges the green lungs of Bangkok are facing. Or you can just listen to the show to learn more from Paul's perspective. That's a good idea! Love, Loathe, or Leave? Let's not beat around the bush. Sometimes, when you feel the call of nature in Thailand, sometimes the porcelain throne is actually a porcelain hole in the ground. That's called a squat toilet. And, well… you'll figure it out. Quirky? Sure. Pleasant? Less so. But it's something you'll likely encounter. And something that will make you appreciate your western toilet. Want more? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. But if you run into a snag, get in touch. We'll help! Drop us a line over at bangkokpodcast.com, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
8 Mars 201728min
"I Want to Get Back to Nature in Bangkok." Is That Even Possible? (2.21)
While Thailand is a great place to experience the natural beauty of the tropics, Bangkok is a giant metro area and not all that appealing to nature lovers with a short time to visit. Or is it? That's the topic of this episode of The Bangkok Podcast. Evo's still sick, but he's on the mend thanks to a doctor. Because as you'll recall from an episode just a few weeks ago, antibiotics are available over the counter here. But you know what isn't? A diagnoses of illness from a qualified physician. Luckily there is no shortage of great doctors in Bangkok. And they are quite cheap. Some people are just stubborn. Ahem. And did you see the article that claimed Thailand has the worst traffic in the world? We do a little debunking on that before we get to the heart of the matter. Finding nature in the confines of Bangkok's concrete jungle. What, exactly, should a nature lover visiting Bangkok do if they only have a few short days? That's the question Evo's friend and Finland-based travel blogger Lottie put to us. No, she doesn't really want to hit all the rooftop bars, shopping malls, countless temples, or the seedier side of tourism that form Bangkok's well-deserved reputation. We have a few ideas, including: Prapadaeng (also called Bang Krachao) - Bangkok's "green lung" Phutthamonthon - "Spiritual center of Thailand", says Greg Chao Phraya river - It's always breezy and cool on this big, navigable river that bisects Bangkok Ayutthaya - Archaeology and history only 3 hours away by train Lots of great parks we mention in the show, some rather hidden Lovely beaches not too far away, but you'll want to do an overnight, probably So… yeah. Bangkok offers more than just shopping, sex tourism, temples, and rooftop bars. Just keep the weather in mind when you visit. Because it's always summer here. Speaking of that... Love, Loathe, or Leave? Holy volcanos, it's hot here. We have no volcanos, but we do leave very close to the sun, apparently. There weren't any seasons to speak of this year in Bangkok, which has an impact. Listen in to find out how we feel about it. Want more? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. But if you run into a snag, get in touch. We'll help! Drop us a line or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
27 Feb 201725min
Crafty Bangkok Beer: Talking with Brian Bartusch from Beervana (2.20)
Like everywhere, craft beer is exploding in Bangkok. But there are some subtle nuances that cause beer lovers to scratch their heads. Why is it so expensive? What's up with "illegal" beer? And where can I get more? We'll answer that and more on this episode of The Bangkok Podcast. After a brief and elusive discussion of the infamous Thailand beach town Pattaya, we jump into the heart of the conversation: Beer in Thailand. Specifically, craft beer in Thailand. To make sure we cover things in an appropriate (read: true) way, we invited Brian Bartusch -- co-founder of Bangkok's largest craft beer importer, Beervana -- on to the show to answer some key questions Evo -- our resident beer nerd -- had about the state of craft beer in Thailand. Together with a few other entrepreneurial importers, Beervana makes it easy for the visiting craft beer fan to not be forced to drink the standard Thai beers. Not that we're dissing the local beers. But craft beer fans are going to find Chang, Leo, Singha, and locally-produced Heineken or Asahi rather lacking. Evo and Brian met up at Roadhouse BBQ. By way of example, they offer a half dozen quality craft beers on tap and a rather large selection of craft beer from all over the world. While you'll probably find a wider selection back in America simply due to proximity to some other local breweries, you won't be disappointed in the selection. But you probably will suffer a bit of a sticker shock. Imported craft beer in Thailand is more expensive than the same beer back home. Why? Well, two main reasons: The first is shipping. It's a long way from here to there, and it has to be kept cold the entire journey. Then you layer in the import taxes and compliance fees, which are not trivial. Brian digs into it a little deeper on the show if you want more information. Just keep it in mind the next time you plop down ฿350 for a bottle you'd expect to pay $6 for back in The States. Other topics relevant to craft beer in Bangkok and beyond: Craft beer consumption is only about .02% of overall beer consumption in Thailand. (Source: ChitBeer) Homebrewing is illegal in Thailand. People can be and are thrown in jail for brewing. Which means local Thai craft beer -- which is all home brewed -- is illegal… yet available everywhere. Honestly, we have mixed feelings about this. Some Thai brewers of quality craft beer are working with the system, doing contract brewing outside of the country and re-importing. It's crazy, but it's legal. And tasty! The big Thai brewers have taken notice of the craft beer movement and are taking a Blue Moon approach for now. Local Thais are keenly interested in the craft beer scene. Brian shares some notable places around Bangkok to find great craft beer. You'll be amazed at how quick it's growing! Some special call outs: Fatty's Craft Intersect Bricks and Barrels Find Brian at various craft beer events around Bangkok, or at Pijiu Bar, his newly opened craft beer bar in Bangkok's Chinatown. Love, Loathe, or Leave? Bangkok, like every city, has more than one rat hanging around. We don't want to alarm you, but the ones in Bangkok seem a little bolder than most. Can you guess where we put this little critter on the Love, Loathe, or Leave spectrum? Want more? If it's your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it's a breeze to listen via iTunes. Android users should be able get the show automatically through Google Play. But if you run into a snag, get in touch. We'll help! Drop us a line or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
21 Feb 201732min
Is Learning Thai Really Necessary? (2.19)
To learn to speak Thai or not learn to speak Thai. That is the question. No, literally. It's the question we're asking each other on behalf of all people who come to live in Thailand. As you'll hear, we have a difference of opinion. So yeah, we're the #1 travel podcast in Thailand. That's kinda cool. But it's not what we're talking about today… (but thanks for subscribing!) We ask ourselves a simple question on this week's show: If you're going to "live" in Thailand, do you need to learn Thai? Not surprisingly, we have differing opinions on the matter. Greg, the 16 year expat, staunchly feels anyone wishing to live in Thailand needs to learn the language. Evo, not surprisingly, takes the opposite view. Then again, he only has a year under his belt, so take his opinion with a shot of nam pla. Some arguments for include the ability to keep yourself out of trouble by knowing what warning signs say, having a deeper understanding of Thai culture, and generally paying homage to the fact that you're living in a country with something other than your native tongue as the official language. Arguments against include the fact that most (but not all) signs that you really need to see are also presented in English, Thai students have been forced to learn English (or at least enroll in English classes) for decades, and that technology makes for easy as-you-need it translation. Not surprisingly, there's more to it that that. Listen to the show to see which side of the argument you identify with. For bonus points, leave us a comment on the blog, or even a review on iTunes with your thoughts on who's right. Because we strive for your approval! Kidding. Oh, and that better translation app Evo mentioned? It comes from Thai-Language.com, a great web resource. They have an iOS app, but we're not sure about Android. Get it. Love, Loathe, or Leave? Thai pajamas. Or the "farang uniform". Lightweight, colorful and comfortable pants that gather around the waist that no self-respecting Thai person would be caught dead in. I think we're giving away our opinions on these horrid garments. Clean it up a bit, tourists. This is Bangkok. Put on the big person pants when you go out in public, OK? Want more? Leave a review here or send us a message on the contact tab at the top menu, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
13 Feb 201725min
Being Disabled in Bangkok: A Conversation with Sawang Srisom (2.18)
No one is going to say that Bangkok is an easy city to navigate. Near-constant congestion, poorly paved sidewalks, non-existent pedestrian crossing areas… that's just a start. Now imagine that from the point of view of someone who uses a wheelchair. Suddenly these difficulties seem like insurmountable obstacles. The show starts with a recap of the new "blowing up on social media" scandal: It seems some mototaxi drivers are placing a surcharge on passengers with additional mass. But that's not the injustice we're talking about on this episode. On today's show we chat with Sawang Srisom, Secretary for Transportation for All (T4A), a grassroots organization that's forcing Thailand's bureaucracy to actually follow the law and make the city -- specifically the BTS skytrain system -- fully accessible to people with disabilities. Laws aimed at supporting the rights of the disabled have only been on the books in Bangkok since 1991, and that one didn't even address accessibility. That didn't happen until 2005. Yes, you read that right: There were no laws governing accessibility requirements just over a decade ago. And since the BTS system construction started 10 years before that, enabling officials a convenient excuse for not including things like elevators in all but five of the 29 stations. Amazing. To get action, T4A started filing lawsuits against the BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Authority who oversee the BTS system) for failure to comply. The goal wasn't financial compensation, but to force change. It went all the way to the Supreme Court, and it's now been ruled that all stations must have lifts installed on both sides of the tracks. If you've used the BTS and thought "but I see lifts and other accessibility additions. What's the problem?" Listen to the show to find out how insane it is for wheelchair users like Sawang to try and use those accessibility additions you've seen. It often involves taking a taxi just to cross the street. Fair warning? It's maddening to listen to. The good news is that Thailand has the right policies on the books. The problem -- and stop us if you've heard this one before -- is getting bureaucrats to follow them. Good luck, Bangkok. You've got a lot of work ahead of you. But clearly it's the right thing to do. Because accessibility is for everyone. Love, Loathe, or Leave? Not this week. Evo's voice (as you noticed) is giving out. We'll try again next week. Want more? Drop us a line over at bangkokpodcast.com, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3)
6 Feb 201721min
Red Cliff Coffee: Talking With Derek Kirk About Chiang Rai's Most Delicious Export (2.17)
So a guy from Alaska who owns a coffee plantation in Hawaii hires a guy from Indiana who's living in Thailand to help him grow coffee. There's no punchline. Just a great episode of the Bangkok Podcast! (Direct download .mp3) (Direct download .mp3) After Evo explains why he was in Finland and gives us a crash course on world travel expos (like Matka 2017) and blogger conferences (like NBE Finland), and Greg runs down his recent motorbiking misadventures in Chiang Rai, we get down to business. What business? Serious business. Coffee. Greg had a conversation with Derek Kirk, a fellow expat who manages a coffee plantation that puts out Red Cliff Coffee, a personal favorite of Greg's that Evo needs to try. Starting as an English teacher, Derek fell in love with Northern Thailand and wanted to find a way to stay. In his spare time, he started working with coffee farmers from the Akha Hill Tribe. Some of them had recently started planting coffee as a cash crop but didn't have much experience. Derek made the decision to learn as much as he could about coffee production, vowing to return to Northern Thailand and spread that knowledge. He moved to Kona, Hawaii, became a sponge for coffee knowledge, and brought 10,000 trees back to Thailand to start his enterprise. The beans that come from this experiment are, in his opinion (backed up by Greg's insatiable appetite), the best beans grown in Thailand, far outpacing the standard Thai coffee fare. More importantly, coffee -- quality coffee -- is giving a huge economic boost to the region. As evidence; other farmers in the village are seeing the success of their neighbors and getting in on the action, and small vendors on the side of the road in heavily Thai areas -- even outside of Bangkok -- are selling quality cappuccino for 55 baht. Not great news if you want cheap coffee. But outstanding news if you -- like us -- appreciate a quality cuppa and wish to see it spread.But don't think this is the story of one (more) farang coming in and taking over from the locals. Yes, Derek did inject some know-how into the system, but the farmers producing coffee are doing so on their own terms, on their own land, and producing their own product. Now that's social entrepreneurism at work! Love, Loathe, or Leave? For our North American friends, we give you the lowdown of 7-11, which is *much* more than just a convenience store in Bangkok: It's a way of life. Not surprisingly we love 7-11 if only because it's so ingrained into society here in the Big Mango. But there is one aspect we rather loathe. You'll have to listen to find out. Want more? Drop us a line over at bangkokpodcast.com, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. Oh, and we have a Facebook page! You can even Tweet to the show @bangkokpodcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We'll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast!
30 Jan 201725min
