Episodes
July 4, 2017
The Best Pad Thai Is Average By Design (2.39)
This week we take a closer look at why Thailand's national dish -- pad thai -- isn't actually very representative of Thai food. But first, an innovative way to get out of a traffic ticket in Thailand when it happens to you. Evo tested. Evo approved.
June 27, 2017
Best Mobile Apps For Bangkok in 2017 (2.38)
A listener suggestion drives this show as we talk about which smartphone apps make living in Bangkok that much easier, on this extra-long episode of the Bangkok Podcast. Oh, and Evo is terrible at his job. But he’s getting better, and it's a funny story
June 20, 2017
The Funniest Way To Get A Thai Drivers License In Bangkok (2.37)
Both of us are licensed to drive - Evo a motorbike and Greg a car - and on this episode, we’ll tell you the process that we went through to be legal drivers in Thailand. Spoiler alert: it’s maddening. But funny! And a great example of “Thainess”.
June 13, 2017
The Challenges Of Urban Planning In Bangkok (2.36)
A Bangkok city planner helps bring some clarity to the confusing development of Bangkok. But first, a very magical (and very Thai) cure for terrorism. All of that and more on this episode of the Bangkok Podcast.
June 6, 2017
Bangkok’s War On Street Food: A Live Report (2.35)
We grabbed our mics, left the cozy comforts of our condos and recorded a live episode of the show from the streets of Chinatown to get to the bottom of this reported War on Bangkok's street food. We'll tell you what we discovered.
May 30, 2017
Invading Green Monster Chokes Out Bangkok (2.34)
One of Thailand's most persistent pests - the beautiful but invasive water hyacinth is once again clogging Bangkok’s waterways. And while Evo didn't die on a motorbike just yet, a friend of his is in the hospital after his scooter accident.
May 23, 2017
The Bangkok Double Pricing Debate (2.33)
"On this episode we get into one of Thailand's most contentious topics - double pricing. But first Evo discovers a hidden hipster hideout, and by “hidden”, we mean new to Evo. Also Greg attempts to lose his child in a giant plastic bubble bath.
May 16, 2017
Why Bangkok Is A Medical Tourism Hotspot (2.32)
This week we talk to an expert on medical tourism for the inside scoop on what makes Bangkok a key medical tourism destination. And we share an anecdote that proves even the 2nd largest city in SE Asia is really just a small town.
May 11, 2017
Is Birth Control Evil In Buddhist Bangkok? (2.31)
This week we talk with Bangkok-based Buddhist monk Phra Pandit about abortions, birth control, and how Buddhism defines evil. Also, Evo flirts with Thailand's terrible traffic stats.
May 3, 2017
Bangkok Tourist Scams Are Still Alive In 2017 (2.30)
On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we talk about one of the negative aspects of Bangkok, the immortal, ever-present tourist scam. But before we get there, we'll have a brief discussion of feet. Yeah... feet.
April 25, 2017
Exploring Thailand’s Crazy Gun Culture (2.29)
From hitmen to red tape and homemade guns to the black market, we bring in a local expert to help us navigate the murky waters of the past and present realities of gun ownership in Thailand.
April 18, 2017
Time for Change: Should Begging Foreign Backpackers Take a Hike? (2.28)
You may have seen foreign backpackers on the streets of Bangkok, playing instruments, selling trinkets, or simply asking for change. Should these begging vagabonds take a hike, or do they deserve some leeway to, er, find their way?
April 11, 2017
Blood on the Highway: Thailand's Seven Deadly Days of Songkran (2.27)
On this episode we talk about traffic in Bangkok - specifically the “Seven Deadly Days” of Songkran - and Thailand's awful road safety statistics. We also talk about what men do with their wives are away... or won't go away. Don't worry...it's not bad
April 3, 2017
Talking Languages With Educator Frank Smith: Thai, Lao & Khmer (2.26)
On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we talk languages with Frank Smith. He speaks Thai, Khmer, and Lao, and teaches Khmer at UC Berkeley in California. Add to that a quick conversation on the pros and cons of raising a kid in Thailand, and we're done!
March 27, 2017
The Little Things We Miss About Home...And Will Miss About Thailand (2.25)
On this episode, we discuss the little things we love about Bangkok, as well as the little things we miss about where we're from.
March 20, 2017
Teaching In Thailand: A Professional Western Teacher’s Perspective (2.24)
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 education degrees.
March 15, 2017
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.
March 8, 2017
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 lun
Feb. 27, 2017
"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 beauties 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.
Feb. 21, 2017
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.
Feb. 13, 2017
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. Not surprising, we have a difference of opinion.
Feb. 6, 2017
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 confined to a wheelchair
Jan. 30, 2017
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!
Jan. 23, 2017
Talking with Phra Pandit: Is Having Everything the Same as Desiring Nothing? (2.16)
Continuing with our Buddhism series, we welcome Phra Pandit, a Brit who has been a monk in Thailand for the past 20 years and is a noted lecturer on Buddhism, dhamma, and psychology. Desire - or the lack of it - is one of the key themes that the...