![Future Southeast Asia's James Clark on Thailand's Transport Infrastructure [S7.E41]](https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts112/v4/5e/b8/97/5eb8974d-bf7d-0ed0-7088-1a13a3b80a74/mza_16315175050243679621.jpg/250x250bb.jpg)
Avsnitt
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Greg and Ed revisit a favorite show theme: Thailand merit badges, achievements by expats which solidify your status as someone truly making a life in Thailand rather than just passing through as a tourist. For earlier merit badges, check out Season 5, Episodes 29 and 60.
Ed begins by bringing up a true sign that you are no longer a noob: learning some of the Northeastern dialect, or ‘pasaa Isaan.’ Both guys confess they have yet to cross this barrier (central Thai is hard enough!). Greg then mentions a true rite of passage, surviving a Buddhist blessing ceremony on your knees. Thai people possibly have genetically superior knees and shins, because sitting on hardwood floors for extended periods of time is not for the faint of heart. Ed then returns to the world of Isaan by referring to the large number of regional cultural festivals that are off the beaten path of most tourists. The merit badge accrues though only if you manage to participate, rather than merely snapping a few pics.
The guys continue, hitting on such key breakthroughs as establishing some ‘intestinal fortitude’ when it comes to spicy food and cracking some niches of the Thai language, such as idioms and animal noises. Listen in and let us know how many of these badges you have earned. Also don’t forget to check out Waipod Phetsuphan’s fantastic Ding Dong here!
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.
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Ed interviews our buddy Phil Allen about his adventures visiting, and eventually living in, the Isaan region of Thailand. Phil begins by explaining his arrival in Bangkok about five years ago as a roving economist working primarily in financial technology. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck and Phil found himself in a very strange situation in a brand new country. He decided to take the aggressive approach and move from AirBnB to AirBnB in different neighborhoods around Bangkok before a full lockdown ensued.
Phil’s story continues with his interest in motorbikes. Due to Bangkok traffic, he thought it would be safer to learn to ride in a small town, so randomly he and a friend began to visit Buriram, a town northeast of Bangkok and not too far from the Cambodia border. Thus, Phil’s love affair with Isaan began, eventually leading him to Udon Thani, where he currently rents a house while traveling back to Bangkok a few days a week for work.
So what is it about Isaan that is so attractive? Phil discusses many things he likes about the region, from delicious, cheap food to truly engaging people. Ed and Phil talk about the pros and cons of Bangkok vs Udon, and Phil makes an excellent case for putting Isaan on your travel calendar, whether you are a tourist or an expat.
You can connect with Phil on Instagram at newphysiocracy.
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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Greg and Ed revisit an old topic from Season 2, Episode 48: Do you have to be weird to live in Bangkok/Thaiand as a foreigner? Ed begins by noting that the question depends on exactly why an expat has chosen to live here. Are they in the military? Are they on a corporate package? Are they here for a significant other? These options leave room for fairly ‘normal’ people. But what about expats such as Greg and Ed, who seem to live in Thailand without an outside force making it necessary? And of course, what does ‘weird’ even mean, exactly? It’s subjective, but leaving all that is familiar to live in a chaotic city with no guarantees of success seems like a good place to begin.
Greg contends that in some basic ways it IS weird to leave your hometown and your country to live on the other side of the world. The simple fact is that the majority of people live close to where they were born for their entire lives. Ed notes that during his recent trip home for a high school reunion, his classmates treated his living in Thailand as something somewhat shocking and extreme.
Ed mentions that even among ‘expats of choice’ there is a lot of variety, but that it’s also true that expats tend to rarely be boring: they are either interesting in a good way, or interesting in a bad way. There is something about choosing to be an extreme minority in a foreign land that attracts a particular type of personality: perhaps one that craves new experiences or that enjoys the challenge of deciphering everyday interactions.
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.
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Greg and Ed begin a new series called “Thailand: Land of Contradictions” with the first installment addressing a fascinating, apparent conflict in Thai culture: how can Thailand have so many temples on the one hand, but also so many ‘working girls’ on the other?
The Land of Smiles is well-known as a very Buddhist country, in the sense that approximately 95% of Thais identify as Buddhist. Now many might not be strict in the truly religious sense, but there’s no doubt that many aspects of Thai culture and society are informed by underlying Buddhist beliefs. However, the country is also very well-known as providing many outlets for adult entertainment and companionship. The guys note that applying standard Western common sense, these two just don’t seem to fit together.
However, with their combined over 40 years of experience swimming in the chaotic soup of Thai culture, Greg and Ed do their best to explain what’s going on through a Thai lens. Ed notes the contrast between the Western notion of ‘burning in hell’ versus the Eastern concept of ‘bad karma’ as well as the difference between a culture based on guilt versus one based on shame. Greg applies some Google-fu and comes up with some more academic takes on the issue, including one of weighing a sin against one's intentions while carrying out the sin. The boys do their best to make sense of it.
Experts they are not, but listen in for two amateurs with a lot of experience doing their best to resolve this apparent mystery of Thai culture.
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.
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Greg interviews James Clark, the founder of Future Southeast Asia, a website and newsletter focused on transport and urban development in Southeast Asia. The guys begin with the most exciting developments in Thailand’s railway system, and James mentions the 250 km/hr high speed rail which will run from Bangkok to Nong Khai and then on into Laos and China. The standard rail should also be finally extended to Chiang Rai in the next few years.
Greg and James then go on to discuss various development projects that have been in the works for years: the widening of Saphan Taksin bridge, the extension of BTS beyond National Stadium, and the bridge from the mainland to Koh Samui. The guys also cover important issues such as the cost of the BTS and MRT for the average Thai worker, as well as the pursuit of a unified payment system across all public transportation.
Tune in for a great overview of all the exciting upcoming improvements to Thailand’s transportation infrastructure.
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.
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Greg and Ed discuss one of the pillars of Thai culture, the general attitude of ‘mai pen rai’ or ‘no problem.’ As the guys have mentioned many times, this attitude is one of the main reasons that living in Thailand is so enjoyable for expats. Thai people tend to be less confrontational, less prone to anger, and less likely to take offense than Westerners, making living in ‘The Land of Smiles’ a fairly easy transition for most people. But can this approach be taken too far? The guys think so.
A recent tragedy involving a bus accident that resulted in the deaths of over a dozen children sparked the discussion. While the investigation into the accident is still in its early stages, it appears the bus failed to meet safety regulations. Ed notes that this tragedy mirrors the infamous New Year’s Eve fire at Santika nightclub in 2009 that took 67 lives, largely due to unenforced fire safety laws. The simple truth is that often in Thai society people relax when it comes to preparing for the worst: it’s much easier to blow things off in order to save effort and money. Both guys agree that this is a clear example of ‘mai pen rai’ going too far. Sometimes you need to be strict and confrontational in order to compel compliance with certain laws; the harms that can result from being too lax are simply too great to bear.
Ed notes that the question really comes down to one of good judgment. Thais seem to have mastered the ability to relax when it comes to a lot of ‘rules’ that in the end don’t actually seem to affect quality of life very much. However, as the current tragedy shows, there are times when ‘relaxing’ is not the best approach.
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.
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Mental health in Thailand has never really had its time in the spotlight, but things are slowly changing as more and more Thais realize that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
On this episode we are joined by Amy Pothong, a licensed counselor and founder of Golden Leaf Therapy and Counseling in Phuket.
Amy walks us through the landscape of mental health in Thailand, including some of the reasons that the subject is often taboo, with elders usually preferring to shush things up rather than make a scene and upset the apple cart. Generational dynamics, family responsibilities and strict cultural expectations can all play a part, and the resulting mix can be quite a complicated web to navigate.
Amy also talks about the difference between Thai and foreign cultures, likening the contrast to a peach vs a coconut. In a peach culture people are friendly and soft on the outside, but once you get closer, you find a hard, private core that’s hard to penetrate. However, coconut cultures have a hard shell on the outside, but once you get past that you’ll find that they are soft and easy to get close to.
She also helpfully provides some references for trusted resources to use if you think you might like to talk to someone about mental health: the hotline 1323, and Samaritans of Thailand, which has service in both English and Thai.
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.
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In our semi-annual update on Thai politics, Ed does his best to explain the current situation and how Thailand arrived here over the last ten years. He begins with the framework that defined Thai politics for almost 15 years: one party led by the Shinawatra clan that was populist and relied on the support of Thai farmers in the Northeast and the conservative Democratic Party and military establishment that represented the middle class and above relied on support from Bangkok. While the populist party dominated at the ballot box, it led first to a coup in 2006 against the patriarch Thaksin, and then to a coup in 2014 against his sister Yingluck.
The result was a military government for five years until the elections of 2019. Largely due to a very biased Constitution, the military squeaked out a virtual tie with a new version of the populist party, but close behind was a new player on the scene: the truly progressive Future Forward Party, which was primarily supported by younger Bangkokers. However, the conservative Constitutional Court would go on to ban the party and its leaders. The military was able to build a coalition to choose one of the coup leaders as the Prime Minister.
Four years later in May of 2023, now with a less-rigged Constitution, the military and Democratic parties would get wiped out and shockingly, the new iteration of the progressive party would win outright, seemingly altering Thai politics forever. As has become the norm in Thai politics, the drama continues to unfold. Listen in for the rest of the story.
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.
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Greg and Ed discuss the ‘delivery lifestyle,’ the habit of staying at home and relying on delivery services to bring food and products straight to your doorstep. Both guys admit to slipping into this habit, but Greg enjoys getting out more and tooling around town in his fancy automobile, so it’s Ed that has really embraced this habit. The question is this: Is it good or bad?
Ed begins with some obvious pros: it’s super convenient and allows you to avoid the stress of traffic and crowds, something Bangkok is infamous for. The options for delivery are endless, such that it’s possible to basically order ANYTHING you want, whether from within Thailand or from China. And the actual costs of delivery are low.
But what are the downsides? Greg brings up the danger of becoming a homebody and missing out on the social interaction of shopping and running errands in a city that’s simply just fun to explore. Ed concurs that the expat bubble is already bad enough and actually forcing yourself to interact with Thai people in malls and markets is probably a good thing. Other risks include overspending and dealing with frustrating miscommunications and logistical snafus.
Last, Greg brings up the problem of misleading marketing by delivery companies that front as ‘restaurants’ when they are really just ‘ghost kitchens’ without public space at all, which can be a psychological letdown to someone yearning for a bit of social activity at their favorite restaurant only to find it’s simply a kitchen with a lineup of Grab drivers out front.
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.
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Greg welcomes back Patrick Winn to the podcast, an intrepid writer and expert on all things dark and shady in Southeast Asia. He previously appeared on the show to discuss his book “Hello Shadowlands,” and he returns to explain his new work, “Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Survived The CIA.” Patrick begins by explaining the unique political situation that the country of Myanmar is in right now. Besides a literal civil war, portions of the country, such as the ‘Wa State’ in the northeast, are essentially autonomous, self-governing areas. Patrick explains that free travel in and out of the area is generally not permitted, and if you just showed up, you would be detained and interrogated by the Wa State Army.
Next, Greg asked the genesis of Patrick’s new book. Patrick explains that he’s been fascinated by the ‘state within a state’ for over a decade and has struggled to find an opportunity to interview any important Wa leaders, due to the fact that the Wa State is notorious for being a manufacturer of methamphetamine pills. In fact, some prominent Wa leaders are actually wanted by the U.S. DEA. Patrick recounts a fascinating story of how he managed through an intermediary to finally make contact, and the resulting interview and subsequent research constitutes the backbone of his book.
The guys continue with a twisting tale of the DEA and CIA’s surprising relationship with this mysterious subculture inside of the already complex state of Myanmar, and the effect its having on Thailand’s middle class, which is a huge consumer of the infamous drugs that the country produces.
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.
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Putting on their best tarot reading hat…or numerology hat…or tea leaf hat…whatever…Greg and Ed make their best prognostications about the future of Bangkok, relying only on their accumulated wisdom and experience. Greg begins by asking Ed whether Bangkok will ever solve its ‘sinking’ problem, and Ed responds pessimistically. Although the science is clear that the sea is rising and Bangkok is sinking, the government does not seem to be taking any drastic action to address the impending calamity, a la the film “Don’t Look Up.” Certainly, SOMETHING will have to be done, but Ed expects it to be too little, too late.
Ed then asks Greg whether Thailand will ever have to give up its ‘pragmatic neutrality’ and make a choice between China and the U.S. Greg argues that Thailand will do its best to avoid making such a choice, but if a conflict does occur between the two superpowers, Greg thinks Thailand will likely choose to side with China, for proximity and cultural reasons.
Greg then wonders what Ed thinks about the future of high speed rail in Thailand. On this topic, Ed is more optimistic: there’s something about public transportation that the government has figured out, and Ed expects that multiple super fast, modern rail lines are coming in the near future. Ed then queries Greg about his thoughts on Nana Plaza, the legendary red light complex on Sukhumvit that happens to be located on prime real estate. Greg reluctantly predicts that the owners are likely to eventually cave to some mega condo or mall project.
The guys continue with some predictions on Thai politics and older malls in Bangkok.
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.
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Greg interviews Dominic Faulder, associate editor at Nikkei Asia, long-time journalist in Southeast Asia and observer of the political and diplomatic machinations of Myanmar, and Thailand and Vietnam over the past 40 years.
The main thesis of the episode is this: How should a country such as Thailand respond when its neighbor Myanmar is in the midst of a destabilizing civil war? Dominic begins by pointing out what’s different about the current situation compared with events in its turbulent past. Myanmar has suffered various military coups, but traditionally the opposition to those coups has been splintered and factionalized. However, after the most recent 2021 military takeover, opposition groups unified, plunging the country into a genuine civil war.
So what does this mean for Thailand? According to Dominic, the long jungle border between the two countries is essentially impossible to police, opening up the real possibility of a massive refugee crisis in Thailand. In the long run, the military cannot succeed in running the country, and no exit strategy seems apparent for the generals. Dominic notes that if an even more severe food crisis occurs, as it did in Pol Pot's Cambodia in the years after the Vietnam War ended in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Burmese could spill across the Thai border.
Greg and Dominic continue discussing the perilous situation and what it means for the business-minded generals and military-minded diplomats in charge of Thailand in terms of diplomacy, military and economic outcomes as Dominic recounts Burmese history since independence and clarifies the difference between past instability and the current all-out civil war.
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.
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Greg and Ed discuss some negative expat stereotypes - roughly the person you (probably) don’t want to become while living in Thailand...at least forever. We all fall prey to stereotypes sometimes - they have to come from somewhere - but if you’re not careful, you can become comfortable with some of these lifestyles and before you know it, they come to define your new identity in your new home, and suddenly you’re known as The Whiner, or The Apologist.
And that’s just the beginning! Heaven forbid that people start to know you as The Premature Pontificator, or The Creep, The Slob, The Bubble Boy or The Player. Like we said, it’s hard to escape most of these all the time, but Bangkok’s mai-pen-rai lifestyle is addictive, and trust us - before you know it, a decade has gone by and you’re still wearing that old Chang singlet out to dinner that you bought when you first arrived on Khao San Road (that’d be The Slob). Have a listen and see how Greg and Ed define these common tropes.
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.
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On part 2 of 2 Greg continues his interview with returning show favorite, Phra Pandit on the Buddhist interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion. Without wasting any time they pick up where they left off last week and dive right into it with sloth, one of Greg’s favorites. Defined in Buddhism as ‘torpor’ or ‘indolence’ Phra Pandit explains that in Buddhism this trait tends to hinder meditation, and can lead to someone being withdrawn and apathetic, which of course is not something any good Buddhist should do. Also includes a sly critique on Millennials from Phra Pandit.
Next up is wrath, defined as uncontrolled feelings of anger, rage and hatred. Phra Pandit gives a personal anecdote where he was approaching this emotion with a taxi driver while dealing with an empty stomach, but notes that anger tends to be delusionary while leading you astray if you are not in control of your emotions.
Envy is next, characterized as a sad or resentful covetousness of the possessions of someone else. Noting that jealousy and envy are two different emotions, Phra Pandit makes a connection to people using this emotion when they think that life isn’t fair.
Finishing off with Pride - considered the ‘most demonic’ of all sins - Phra Pandit comments that SOME pride is healthy - pride in your accomplishments, your kids, your hard work - but when it crosses over into arrogance is when things can get out of hand.
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.
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Greg interviews returning show favorite, Phra Pandit on the Buddhist interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion. After a brief introduction explaining Phra Pandit’s current (temporary) abode in Toronto, Canada, the guys get down to business. First, Phra Pandit notes that in his work with highly varied groups of people, there is often agreement on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ qualities in people. That being said, he notes that not every religion would necessarily value each quality equally.
Greg jumps in with his favorite sin of ‘Lust,’ and Phra Pandit says that ‘improper sexual conduct’ is prohibited in the Five Precepts that Buddhists are expected to follow. He discusses how the term ‘improper’ can be interpreted, with an emphasis on the harm being caused in a particular case, rather than specific rules.
Next up is ‘Gluttony,’ practically the theme of the Bangkok Podcast. Interestingly, Phra Pandit discusses the issue of overweight monks in Thailand and points out that the precepts actually allow monks to eat sugary snacks in the evening, while most people think that monks are prohibited from eating entirely. However, monks are prohibited from ‘overeating,’ which is parallel to the most basic meaning of ‘gluttony.’
The two mean continue with a couple more of the sins on this Part One of a two-part series.
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.
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Having had the somewhat unenviable (?) POV of living in Bangkok both in their 20s AND in their late 40s (and more), Greg and Ed pro/con Bangkok for different age groups. Is Bangkok really a city for twenty-somethings or fifty-somethings? Greg begins by focusing on the older crowd. On the plus side, Bangkok offers many social opportunities that have a cultural bent, such as the Siam Society, museum groups, and even gourmet restaurants that tend to appeal to a more mature crowd with disposable time and income. Further, the Land of Smiles is a great place to pamper yourself, with more spas and beauty clinics than you can shake a stick at. Last, the simple truth is that Bangkok is a great place to up your standard of living without increasing costs, due to what money can buy compared to back home.
However, all is not rainbows and butterflies for the older crowd. Bangkok is a chaotic, loud, and traffic-jammed place, something that older people may have a much lower threshold for. There is also a distinct lack of high culture, such as shows and museums that are truly world class. Last, getting around town is slow and in general inconvenient.
Ed then tackles the younger crowd. Ed notes that Bangkok is a great place to live cheaply, a fantastic place for that feeling of ‘anything can happen’ adventure, and a great hub for travel around Asia. On the downside though, the Big Mango is actually not a great place for clubs or dancing, especially, late at night, is not a fantastic place to boost your career, and not particularly good for dating, at least if you are into meaningful relationships.
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.
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Greg and Ed interview Dave Lawrence of Pegleg Legal about the technicalities of divorce in Thailand. Although Ed previously discussed his big ‘D’ on an earlier show, his situation was so simple that it’s probably not representative of the typical divorce. Dave begins with his process for new clients. First, he asks if the marriage was registered in Thailand. Many ‘couples’ actually never get legally married in Thailand, which of course changes your legal rights. Second, he asks if the couple has any children. As one would expect, kids tend to significantly complicate matters. However, Dave makes clear if a couple is not legally married, then the mother automatically becomes the sole custodian of the child, and the biological father has no automatic rights.
Next, Ed asks Dave about ‘common law’ marriage, the idea that a couple can be deemed legally married just by living together for a certain number of years, but it turns out that concept doesn’t exist under Thai law. If it ain’t on paper, it ain’t real, at least in Thailand. The guys continue peppering Dave with various marriage and divorce scenarios, including what property is considered ‘marital property’ subject to division and how child custody is handled by biological fathers who have a properly registered marriage.
The topic isn’t exactly rosy, but the big ‘D’ is something that we are all better off knowing something about.
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.
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Greg and Ed perform an interesting test of the current state of AI: can you actually trust what different AI’s have to say about Bangkok and Thailand? Greg uses ChatGPT, while Ed is a Google guy through and through, so Gemini it is. The first question involves a bit of Thai history: exactly when and for how long did Thailand use a red flag with a white elephant? Proper research reveals the correct answer is 1855-1917, but ChatGPT misses by a wide mark, with an answer of 1917 to 2017 (!). Gemini does considerably better, with an answer of 1855-1916.
ChatGPT does better with the next straightforward question: Is Bangkok a province of Thailand? The technically correct answer is ‘no,’ because Bangkok is designated as a ‘special administrative area’ in the Thai system of government. Both AI get the answer right, with Gemini possibly providing a more thorough explanation.
The challenge continues, with questions about Japan and Thailand in World War II, directions in Bangkok, and the history of Southern Thailand. Both AI models do an okay job but also clearly make some factual stumbles. So the lesson of the day appears to be that AI might be helpful as a general background research tool, but always check your facts and don’t count on it 100% - especially when it comes to trying to understand Bangkok!
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.
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This is Part Two of Greg and Ed’s interview with Paul and Yuangrat Wedel, returning guests to the show who previously talked about their book “Radical Thought, Thai Mind.” This time around the fascinating couple discuss their two novels, “Beads On A String” and “Dark Karma,” each historical fiction based in Southern Thailand. In this part of the interview, the couple focus on the historical characters and events that are interwoven into the fictional narrative. Greg asks about the sensitivity of dealing with certain high status characters, but Paul and Yuangrat make clear that they very closely followed historical records about public statements and acts.
The interview continues to address such matters as the technology changes that swamped Siam at the turn of the century, the delicate political relationship between Bangkok and the southern sultanates/provinces, and plans for the next episode in the narrative which will encompass the 1932 coup that ended absolute monarchy in Thailand. Listen in for a fascinating interview with a truly erudite couple!
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.
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Greg and Ed interview Paul and Yuangrat Wedel, returning guests to the show who previously talked about their book “Radical Thought, Thai Mind.” This time around the fascinating couple discuss their two novels, “Beads On A String” and “Dark Karma,” each historical fiction based in Southern Thailand.
The two begin with a discussion of the origin of the novels. In short, Yuangrat grew up in the deep South of Thailand with a family of mixed ethnicity, including Thai, Malay, Mon, and Chinese ancestry. This rich family tree provided the raw material for the characters who populate the story. Then the couple did serious historical research on the epic changes that the South of Thailand went through in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With the character and the historical framework, they then wove a fictional story that intersects with actual historical events.
Greg, having dug into the first novel, attests to the pull of the story, which is a fascinating (and surprisingly horny!) look into a part of Thailand that was caught in the middle of a whirlwind of change, and the people that played a role in how it evolved. The discussion looks at topics that still play a big role in Thailand today - royalty, religion, money, corruption, gambling, and complex family dynamics. Against the backdrop of southern Thailand at the turn of the 20th, it’s a fascinating look back into the past and the creation of a story that’s as layered and nuanced as the real-life details the novels portray.
Tune in for part two of the intriguing interview next week.
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.
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