The Bangkok Podcast
by Greg Jorgensen & Ed Knuth
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
Episodes
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Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Society's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E67] (Classic ReCast)
Greg interviews old friend of the podcast Rikker Dockum, Thai language expert extraordinaire about the Thai Royal Society, an organization dedicated to overseeing, promoting and regulating the Thai language. Rikker begins by explaining that he actually wrote his undergraduate thesis on the…
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When You Don't Eat Thai or Western Comfort Food, What's Your Go-To? [S8.E66]
Bangkok has produced roughly nine billion stories about food. Street food. Michelin food. Hidden food. Grandma's-secret-recipe food. Food you absolutely must eat before you die, leave town, or apparently lose all credibility as a human being. But what if you live here and you just don't feel like...
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The Evolution (& Photo Ops) of Bangkok's Top Rooftop Bars [S8.E65]
After visiting a rooftop bar with one of the most spectacular views in Bangkok, the boys discuss what the evolution and growth of the sky-high drinking/photo establishments says about the evolution and growth of Bangkok itself. Greg begins by framing rooftop bars as a barometer of Bangkok's…
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From Non-B to DTV to OMG: A Look at the Thai Visa Landscape [S8.E64]
Hey, remember when the visa rules changed, making us all learn entirely new procedures and protocols? No, the other time. No, the other…no, not that one, the other time. Greg begins by discussing the latest tightening of Thailand's entry rules, especially the reduction of visa-exempt stays from...
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A Few Unwritten Thai Cultural Rules You Gotta Learn [S8.E63] (Classic ReCast)
Utilizing a topic suggested by listener Wes, Greg and Ed discuss the unwritten 'rules' of Thai culture - the ones that everyone knows but aren't written down anywhere, despite Ed wishing they were because he really has no idea what he's doing right and wrong! As Greg notes, we all have to fake it...
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Thai Wellness Holidays Are They Worth the Price? [S8.E62]
"Wellness" is a huge industry, and especially in Thailand, so the boys decide this week to discuss the options that are available. Ed begins the main segment by noting that while he expected it to be straightforward, he discovered an overwhelming variety of retreats and treatments. Greg chimes in...
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AI Helps Us Find Hidden Meaning in the Art of the Late, Great Khun Pichai [S8.E61]
Greg begins by discussing the late Bangkok street artist Khun Pichai, whose intricate and cryptic sidewalk scribbles across the capital attained a devoted cult following over the years, with sightings of his mysterious, sprawling artworks treated like discovered treasures. If you don't know who...
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Vic Levitin Talks About Starting From Scratch in Thailand [S8.E60]
Moving to Thailand can be a disorienting, discombobulating experience, even if you're on your own. Now imagine doing it with 9 hours to prepare. That's what Vic Levitin and his family did, but the unknown and unplanned turned into something great - though not without its speed bumps. Greg begins...
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Bangkok's Roads: The History Behind the Names (S8.E59)
Greg begins by discussing a suggestion from their friend Scott to explore the origins of well-known street names in Bangkok. After briefly touching on familiar spots like Khaosan Road and Lumpini Park, Greg dives into the history of Sukhumvit Road. He notes it was originally a dirt track before...
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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…
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A Peek Into Bangkok's Thriving Bluegrass Music Scene [S8.E57]
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...
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The Devil's in the Details: Playing the Expat Insurance Game [S8.E56]
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...
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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...
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Saying Too Much: Dealing With Self-Censorship in Thailand [S8.E54] (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...
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Crackdown! Is Thailand Becoming a Rule of Law Society? [S8.E53]
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...
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Strange Bedfellows: Prof. Khemthong on the Buddhism and Politics [S8.E52]
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...
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In the Know: A Few Deep Cut Reasons to Love Expat Life in Bangkok [S8.E51]
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…
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Realtor Tracy Leelalumlert Dives Deep Into Bangkok's Condo Market [S8.E50]
On the heels of a recent episode where Greg and Ed opined on the nuances of the tricky Bangkok property market, this time they have a real, er… real estate pro on to get into things from her POV - Tracy Leelalamlert from Aspire Real Estate. Greg begins by discussing with Tracy whether buying a...
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Thai Games: From Playgrounds to Cards to Beetle Fighting [S8.E49] (Classic ReCast)
Thanks to a suggestion from a listener Greg and Ed discuss the fascinating topic of games that are common - if not unique - to Thailand. Both guys have some familiarity with some games played in public such as 'takraw,' but many of the others are part of this strange world called 'Thai culture'...
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Eight Specific Things That Bother Greg About Bangkok Driving [S8.E48]
Inspired by an unusually long commute, the boys decide to discuss a list of things - very specific things - that bother Greg while he drives his trusty silver Honda around Bangkok. Greg begins by sharing his first major annoyance with Bangkok drivers, which is their complete disregard for...
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Conflict & Legacy: Journalist Denis Gray Discusses His New Memoir [S8.E47]
In this episode, Greg interviews legendary foreign correspondent Denis Gray about his memoir, Lost Horizons. Denis details his fascinating life story, beginning with his family's escape from communist Czechoslovakia and his father's subsequent intelligence work for the CIA. After graduating from...
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Thai Style vs Western Style: The Diverse Art of Storytelling [S8.E46]
With Ed unavailable this week, Greg welcomes his friend John as co-host to talk about storytelling. Specifically, the difference between how westerners tell stories, and how Thais tell stories. This is especially apropos to John, as he is the creator of Bangkok Stories, an event that,...
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Foreign Fool: A Conversation with Author Alan Platt [S8.E45] (Classic ReCast)
When it comes to characters, Bangkok has them in droves - people who have been places, eaten things, talked to people, and lived adventures that would make your mother put her hand to her mouth and proclaim, "Oh my" with a frightened little squeak. On this episode of the Bangkok Podcast we're…
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When Owners Don't Own: Thailand's Thorny Nominee Issue [S8.E44]
The issue of Thai nominees has heated up in the past little while, with daily news stories about crackdowns, changing laws, and foreigners running scared (or just running). The discussion begins with Ed outlining the basic framework of the Thai Foreign Business Act, explaining how it restricts...
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An Expert Spills the Beans on Thailand's Coffee Industry [S8.E43]
Greg begins his interview with coffee fan, aficionado and expert Noon by exploring her background as the former president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Thailand and her current role managing Lamarzocco, the high-end coffee machine retailer. Noon explains her deep dive into coffee quality...
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Lumpini Park Turns 100! Celebrating Bangkok's First (Best?) Park [S8.E42]
Greg and Ed discuss the 100th 'birthday' of Lumpini Park. The guys begin by highlighting the improvements in the park over the last several years. More and cleaner bathrooms, landscaping, and an adjacent 'hawker center' are some of the highlights. Greg then reviews the different facilities that...
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Why do Bangkok Condo Prices Seem to Defy Gravity? [S8.E41]
Greg begins by introducing the perplexing nature of the Bangkok condo market, noting how prices continually seem to defy gravity despite a massive oversupply. He points out that the market acts as a strange black hole of information where no one can predict trends with any certainty. Ed then…
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From the Road: Three PodFriends Reminisce About Bangkok [S8.E40]
In a special episode recorded during Greg's travels in Canada, he interviews three good friends of the podcast about their particular speciality, and what their thoughts are on Bangkok despite being so far away from the city they love. First we talk to Pailin Chongchitnant of Pailin's Kitchen…
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Phra Pandit Discusses What Buddhism Says About Sex [S8.E39]
Greg meets with mega, super, return guest Phra Pandit to discuss Buddhist teachings regarding sex, a conversation prompted by recent scandals involving women extorting monks. Phra Pandit explains that while sexual scandals within the clergy are actually quite rare, they occasionally happen,...
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That Thing All Thais Do? Yeah, No They Don't
Greg and Ed explore common Thai stereotypes and symbols that are heavily associated with Thailand internationally, yet play a surprisingly small role in the daily lives of average Thai citizens. They note that due to Thailand's massive tourism success and unique geography, the country has...
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Author Chris Baker Discusses Thai History, Culture & Conflict [S8.E37] (Classic ReCast)
Greg and Ed interview expat legend Chris Baker, co-author (along with his wife Pasuk Phongpaichit) of A History of Thailand, in addition to several other well-known books on Thailand. Greg and Ed gush over the fact they have both read Chris's most famous work, something that every serious expat...
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New Frontiers: A (Literal) Conversation With Ed's AI Assistant About Podcasting [S8.E36]
In a special main show, Greg and Ed interview Hal, Ed's OpenClaw bot about his knowledge of the Bangkok Podcast. The guys begin the show discussing their mutual obsession with AI but also explain how it could be especially relevant to those living in Bangkok, as Thailand adopts AI in a big way.…
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Photographer Tim Russell on the Fading Glory of Hualamphong Station [S8.E34] (Classic ReCast)
In a ReCast episode from season 7, Greg interviews well known Bangkok-based photographer Tim Russell about his book 'Bangkok Station,' which focuses (literally) on the iconic and now mostly defunct Hualamphong Train Station. Greg has had a special connection to the place over the past few months...
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Linguist Rikker Dockum on the Royal Institute's Thai Language Oversight [S8.E33] (Classic ReCast)
Greg interviews old friend of the podcast Rikker Dockum, Thai language expert extraordinaire about the Thai Royal Society, an organization dedicated to overseeing, promoting and regulating the Thai language. Rikker begins by explaining that he actually wrote his undergraduate thesis on the…
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Election Analysis: Young Thais, Old Parties...New Tricks? [S8E32]
Tech Fail Alert! The last 5 minutes of our discussion was cut off by dastardly internet Gremlins, but we said most of what we wanted to say anyway. In a follow-up to the recent Thai election, Greg and Ed do their best to make sense of the unexpected outcome. Greg defers to Ed's poli sci…
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Greg & Ed Discuss Ed's Big Thailand Quiz [S8.E31]
In a followup to a recent episode, Greg and Ed walk through the entire 'Facts About Thailand' quiz that Ed gave his Thai Society students. It's a broad test of Thailand - geography, history, politics, government, demographics, and more, that's slightly harder than the average quiz you'd find...
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Dreamster's Mario Butler on Thai Music and New Creative Frontiers [S8.E30]
Greg interviews Mario Butler of Dreamster.io, a platform that allows musicians to connect directly with their audience, and fans to own the music they buy, not just rent. Greg begins by asking about Mario's background and the core mission of Dreamster.io, prompting Mario to explain how the music...
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Bangkok History Highlight: The Blue Diamond Affair [S8.E29] (Classic ReCast)
Another classic recast! One of the craziest stories from recent Thai history. Continuing our series on interesting episodes in Thai history, this episode focuses on the infamous Blue Diamond Affair, It all started when a Thai gardener named Kriangkrai Techamon, who was working in Saudi Arabia,...
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From NGOs to Employment Coaching: Helping Thais Find Their Purpose [S8.E28]
Ed interviews Thanita 'Ninar' Wongprasert, an old student of his and former guest on the show in 2018. On the earlier show she came on to talk about gay rights and same sex marriage in Thailand, and the two begin the interview with a high five to celebrate the eventual passage of gay marriage…
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Ed Ponders a New Class: Teaching Contemporary Thailand to Thais [S8.E27]
Greg and Ed discuss Ed's new class at his Thai university: "Contemporary Thai Society in the Modern World." The guys have a laugh at the thought of a white guy from Ohio teaching young Thais about their own country, but Ed notes that he has been living in Thailand as an adult for 25 years…
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Beer & Politics: Catching Up With MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn [S8.E26]
Greg and Ed interview Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a Thai Member of Parliament known for his advocacy in liberalizing Thailand's craft beer industry. The conversation takes place shortly after the dissolution of the Thai government, a transition that finds Taopiphop technically unemployed but focused...
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Frenemies: The Long History Between Thailand & Cambodia [S8.E25]
Greg and Ed discuss the long, strange and complex history between Thailand and Cambodia in an attempt to shed some light on the tragic current conflict. Greg begins with some early history. The majority of Southeast Asia was once part of the Khmer Empire based in Angkor. Eventually Thai kingdoms…
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What Changes Would Greg Make if He Was in Charge of Bangkok? [S8.E24]
On this show, Greg and Ed discuss what Greg would do if he was the boss man in charge of Thailand, echoing a similar show with Ed's plans earlier in the year. (Check out Season 7, Episode 54 if you are curious.) Greg begins with an interesting but ambitious plan to establish bike lanes underneath...
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Don't forget the meetup!
Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 at The Warehouse on Charoen Krung Road. Chec our FB page for more details.
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Making Bangkok Accessible for All: Khun Saba Keeps Fighting (Classic ReCast) [S8.E23]
On this episode - a classic ReCast from season 3! - Greg interviews Khun Saba, a disabled rights activist in Bangkok. It's a topic near and dear to the Bangkok Podcast, because we want everyone to enjoy Bangkok, which is very hard to do if you don't have full mobility. Khun Saba explains that he...
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Former FBI Agent John Schachnovsky Talks Crime & Punishment in Thailand Part 2 [S8.E22]
First off - if you're in town, join our meetup: Saturday, December 6 at The Warehouse on Charoen Krung Road. Check our Facebook page first before you come just to make sure there have been no last minute changes. In Part 2 of Greg and Ed's interview with John Schachnovsky, the former head of the...
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Former FBI Agent John Schachnovsky Talks Crime & Punishment in Thailand [S8.E21]
In part 1 of a two-part episode, Greg and Ed interview John Schachnovsky about his upcoming book "Beyond the Badge," which recounts his experience as the head of the FBI in Thailand. John starts out explaining his early career with the FBI and his subsequent move to Bangkok. Greg and Ed ask about...
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Road Blocks: The Big Issues That Thailand Needs to Solve [S8.E20]
Greg and Ed discuss an article on Ajarn.com by Dr. Jesse Sessions called "What Does the Future Hold" which discusses some of the bigger problems currently facing Thailand and how they might impact the country's prosperity, competitiveness and social longevity. The guys walk through the issues one...
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Heritage & Culture: How Siri Sala Private Thai Villa Preserves the Past for the Future [S8.E19]
There's a lot of great buildings and great history that has been bulldozed over in Bangkok, so it's nice when we see someone going the extra mile to actually preserve both an historic physical space as well as the stories and history behind it. On this show Greg interviews Art and Irma, owners of...
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Great Thailand Advice We Ignored…But Shouldn't Have [S8.E18] (ReCast)
As Thailand starts got back to bid-ness after COVID, there were a whole lot of n00bs coming in to tour, work and live. Most who have been here for a while already remember what an overwhelming experience Bangkok was in the early days, and how helpful it was to make a network of friends that you...
About this show
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
Hosted by
Greg Jorgensen & Ed Knuth