The Bangkok Podcast

Greg Jorgensen & Ed Knuth
  • 4.6 (133)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Online since 2010! Greg Jorgensen and Ed Knuth have been knocking around Bangkok since the turn of the century. Exploring dark corners, eating amazing food, and interacting with fascinating people, the two have gotten to know and love Thailand's capital in all its confusing, mysterious glory. Every week they chat about topics near and dear to those living here, those visiting here, or those who are just curious about what it's like to live in Asia's craziest city. Want to explore Bangkok on your own? Check out Greg's self-guided audio tours on Voice Map! https://voicemap.me/publisher/greg-jorgensen

  1. 14h ago

    Photographer Dax Ward on Capturing Bangkok's Abandoned Beauty [S8.E58] (Classic ReCast)

    Greg interviews Dax Ward, an adventurous photographer best known for his beautiful photos of dilapidated buildings and abandoned places. Dax begins by explaining that he was a very late starter to photography, getting a DSLR for the first time in 2015. After a random trip to the airplane graveyard down Ramkhamhaeng Road, he developed an affinity for shooting forgotten and abandoned places. As it turns out, Thailand (and Bangkok in particular) are perfect places for this style of photography due to the number of unfinished construction projects from the financial crisis of the late 1990s. Additionally, there seem to be a surprising number of new business ventures in the area that fail for whatever reason or another, so there seems to be an endless supply of possible sites for Dax's style of photography. The guys discuss how Dax discovers and gains access to his locations. It's surprising what a couple hundred baht here and there will do to the attitude of many Thai security guards! Dax then details his research methods and how he manages to build a compelling story around each set of photographs, something that many other photographers don't bother with. In a world where almost everyone has the technology in their pocket to take a decent photo, Thailand is lucky to have an intrepid, creative photographer like Dax to show us how to do things right. 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.

    Photographer Dax Ward on Capturing Bangkok's Abandoned Beauty [S8.E58] (Classic ReCast)

  2. Aug 18

    A Peek Into Bangkok's Thriving Bluegrass Music Scene

    In another example of a thriving subculture in Bangkok you wouldn't expect to see, Greg and Ed interview Sunny Sachdev, a Thai Indian banjo player who is part of the informal network of musicians that drive Bangkok's local bluegrass music scene. Check out their page here.  Sunny explains that he discovered the genre through a video recommendation online and immediately felt drawn to the banjo, despite having no prior musical background. Sunny details how he connected with the local community by attending a jam session at the Srinakarin Night Market. He shares the history of bluegrass, noting its origins in the Appalachian region as a blend of immigrant folk traditions and African instruments. Sunny then describes the unique local subculture, which includes a strong passion for vintage clothing, cowboy attire, and antique instruments salvaged from overseas. Ed brings up the communal aspect of the music, and Sunny explains how jam sessions are highly inclusive, acoustic circles that eliminate typical stage fright. Sunny also highlights a specific bluegrass festival he organizes to bring these diverse musicians together. Following the interview, Greg and Ed reflect on how fascinating it is to see such a niche American subculture thriving organically in Thailand. Ed mentions how teaching music history gave him a newfound appreciation for the genre, overcoming his past snobbery. Greg concludes their discussion by emphasizing that bluegrass represents true community music, designed to be shared collaboratively rather than just performed on a stage.

    A Peek Into Bangkok's Thriving Bluegrass Music Scene

  3. Aug 11

    The Devil's in the Details: Playing the Expat Insurance Game

    Inspired by recent discussion among friends, and Greg's switch to a new provider, the boys tackle the enduring issue of health insurance as an expat. There are many companies, many plans, and many pitfalls. Which one do you choose? Ed begins by outlining the main geographic areas of coverage an expatriate must consider, which include coverage in Thailand, in their home country, and during international travel. He notes that many young people mistakenly skip buying health insurance, and while Thai medical care is relatively inexpensive, he strongly advises against going completely uninsured. Next, Greg shares his personal journey, explaining how he transitioned from an excellent corporate policy to a global plan that excluded the United States due to its exorbitant costs. Ed brings up his own strategy, stating that he currently relies on a basic Thai government plan for minor health issues but desperately needs to find a policy that covers major catastrophic events. Greg then reveals that advancing in age caused his insurance premiums to drastically increase, which recently forced him to switch to a more affordable plan that only covers him within Thailand. He advises that many companies are willing to negotiate higher deductibles for lower premiums to help cover major disasters. Later, Ed confesses he frequently travels back to America without any medical coverage, acknowledging the financial risk. He points out that an artificial intelligence program informed him that top Thai hospitals offer world class success rates for major surgeries, proving local healthcare is a smart choice for aging expatriates and coverage in the States might not be necessary.

    The Devil's in the Details: Playing the Expat Insurance Game

  4. Aug 4

    Weird Explorer's Jared Rydelek on Asia's Strangest Fruits [S8.E55]

    Greg interviews Jared Rydelek, the creator of the Weird Explorer YouTube channel. Jared explains that his day job is a contortionist, but his lifelong vegetarianism sparked a deep fascination with rare fruits. He shares how this hobby evolved into a channel where he travels the globe to taste unique produce, discovering a surprisingly vast subculture of fruit enthusiasts. Jared notes that there are tens of thousands of edible fruits worldwide, far beyond the limited variety found in typical grocery stores. Next, Greg asks Jared about his favorite fruits in Thailand. Jared highlights the snake fruit, noting that the Thai variety differs significantly from those in neighboring countries. He also expresses a strong preference for the yellow mangosteen. The conversation then takes an amusing turn when Jared recounts his encounters with fake or molded fruits. He describes tracking down a highly sought-after fruit only to realize it was a clever fake, eventually learning that seeking out older female vendors in local markets is the best way to find authentic and rare produce. A few other fruit-centric stories follow - who knew there could be so many different characters and wild hijinks in the fruit subculture? Following the interview, Ed expresses admiration for Jared, noting that while he personally lacks the motivation to hunt down obscure foods, he respects the passion involved. Greg concludes by praising Jared for his dedication to exploring niche subcultures and promoting the area where agricultural and cultural knowledge overlap.

    Weird Explorer's Jared Rydelek on Asia's Strangest Fruits [S8.E55]

  5. Jul 28

    Saying Too Much: Dealing With Self-Censorship in Thailand (Classic ReCast)

    Greg and Ed tackle the uncomfortable topic of self-censorship in Thailand, especially as it pertains to the podcast itself, and the churning, roiling issue of what you can say, when, and how, which seem to be in the news every day. Although it is unfortunate, the reality of working and living in Thailand is that the laws and culture are not the same as back home in the U.S. and Canada. Obviously, this means no discussion of the monarchy, and Ed explains how he always advises visiting friends to simply avoid discussion of the monarchy and royal family in pretty much any context. This is good advice for all foreigners in Thailand actually. Second, the boys concur that although they do criticize the government broadly, they make sure not to name specific politicians or policymakers. Although technically no law forbids it, strong and pointed criticism of the Thai government has a way of ending up poorly for the critic, from sudden problems with your visa to (in extreme cases) outright disappearance. On a podcast that is not centered on political issues, it just ain't worth the risk, and while the guys feel comfortable critiquing the government broadly, that's about as far as they are willing to go. Last, Greg and Ed discuss Thailand's defamation laws, which work differently than the laws back home where 'truth' is more or less an absolute defense. In Thailand, even if you say something true, you can be found guilty of violating another person's privacy. As Ed put it, Thailand has a 'mind your own business' culture, as opposed to the 'speak truth to power' culture we have back home. All this being said, the guys admit that self-censorship is fairly rare and not really a problem for a podcast focused on the serious (and sometimes silly) aspects of living in Thailand as a foreigner. 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.

    Saying Too Much: Dealing With Self-Censorship in Thailand (Classic ReCast)

  6. Jul 21

    Crackdown! Is Thailand Becoming a Rule of Law Society?

    After a recent wave of news headlines highlighting government crackdowns on things as varied as fake paternity scams and cheating civil servants, Greg and Ed begin by asking whether Thailand is finally enforcing the rule of law in any meaningful way.  Greg points to changes in visa policy, noting that authorities reduced visa-free stays after discovering widespread abuse from visitors working illegally. Next, Ed brings up the crackdown on illegal nominee company ownership, pointing to cases where foreign nationals set up front businesses using fake Thai shareholders to bypass local laws. Moving to healthcare scandals, Ed highlights an investigation into multiple hospitals involving a birth record scam where foreign women paid local men to falsely claim paternity. Greg then transitions to a massive cheating scandal in the civil service, where thousands of local officials face dismissal after paying bribes to pass government employment exams. Next, the conversation turns to a tragic nightclub fire, which Greg uses to illustrate that while strict laws exist on paper, consistent enforcement remains a persistent problem without public pressure. Finally, Greg shares a personal experience to show that enforcement efforts may indeed be increasing. He describes how an immigration officer conducted an unexpected spot check at his office to verify his employment, forcing him to appear in person at the immigration bureau to prove his status, something he has never experienced during his decades in the country. The guys conclude that something certainly SEEMS different about recent law enforcement efforts, but only time will tell if real change is afoot.

    Crackdown! Is Thailand Becoming a Rule of Law Society?

  7. Jul 14

    Strange Bedfellows: Prof. Khemthong on the Buddhism and Politics

    Ed interviews K. Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a constitutional lawyer and professor from Chulalongkorn University whose work bridges law and Buddhism. After Ed shares his own background as an American lawyer, the two men begin by discussing the modern relevance of Buddhist teachings. K. Khemthong explains that Buddhist mindfulness practices are more important than ever for combating the overwhelming distractions of smartphones and social media. They touch upon how both traditional and secular meditation retreats are increasingly popular for people seeking mental clarity in a chaotic world. Next, Ed brings up Khemthong's academic focus, prompting a fascinating story about a former student who researched local political movements. The guest recounts how Thai protest leaders have historically invoked Buddhist concepts to justify anti-democratic actions. He explains that this political ideology emphasizes the purity of a leader's intentions rather than the strict legality of their actions, meaning that acting with a benevolent mind can supposedly excuse technically illegal political moves. Finally, the conversation shifts to the intersection of religion and constitutional law in Thailand. They discuss how various iterations of the Thai constitution have handled the country's religious identity. K. Khemthong notes that while the government guarantees freedom of religion, it also holds a special duty to promote Buddhism. The interview concludes with an agreement that the state maintains a delicate, pragmatic balance to honor the nation's primary faith without marginalizing minority religions.

    Strange Bedfellows: Prof. Khemthong on the Buddhism and Politics

  8. Jul 7

    In the Know: A Few Deep Cut Reasons to Love Expat Life in Bangkok

    Greg and Ed explore the small, unexpected joys of being an expat living in Thailand. Ed begins the main discussion by sharing his amusement over miscommunications regarding his job. Despite teaching university-level political science, Thai people frequently assume he is a basic English teacher, an error he enjoys correcting. Next, Greg discusses how he enjoys getting opted out of annoying situations due to his nationality. He notes that being a foreigner often grants him a free pass from sitting through tedious formal rituals or dealing with telemarketers who assume he does not speak Thai. Ed then brings up the relief of geographical distance from his home country, explaining that living overseas allows him to avoid participating in stressful family drama back in America. Greg relates to this, adding that it lets him prioritize his immediate family.  Continuing the conversation, Greg brings up his appreciation for the language barrier, which acts as a natural shield allowing him to completely tune out noisy local advertisements and background chatter. Next, Ed notes that he gets a surprising amount of unearned respect and admiration from locals simply for being an American citizen. Finally, Greg concludes the topic by admitting he loves taking advantage of low fashion expectations for foreigners, happily running errands in comfortable, unkempt clothing without feeling self-conscious about his appearance. Thanks, skeezeballs!

    In the Know: A Few Deep Cut Reasons to Love Expat Life in Bangkok
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4.6
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

Online since 2010! Greg Jorgensen and Ed Knuth have been knocking around Bangkok since the turn of the century. Exploring dark corners, eating amazing food, and interacting with fascinating people, the two have gotten to know and love Thailand's capital in all its confusing, mysterious glory. Every week they chat about topics near and dear to those living here, those visiting here, or those who are just curious about what it's like to live in Asia's craziest city. Want to explore Bangkok on your own? Check out Greg's self-guided audio tours on Voice Map! https://voicemap.me/publisher/greg-jorgensen

Information

  • Creator
    Greg Jorgensen & Ed Knuth
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2026
  • Episodes
    580
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bangkok Podcast 778220
  • Show Website
    The Bangkok Podcast

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